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1  vJ- 


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 1  tx^rdm? 


I  THE 

MODEL  ARCHITECT. 


A  SERIES  OF 


ORIGINAL  DESIGNS 


FOR 


COTTAGES,  VILLAS,  SUBURBAN  RESIDENCES.  ETC. 


ACCOMPANIED  BY 


(Explanations,  Ipri  ft  ration  s5  (Estimates, 


AND 


Elaborate  Details. 


PREPARED  EXPRESSLY  FOR  TIIE  USE  OF 


PROJECTORS  AND  ARTISANS  THROUGHOUT  THE  UNITED  STATES. 
BY  SAMUEL  SLOAN,  ARCHITECT. 

IN   TWO  VOLUMES. 
VOL.  I. 


I  PUBLISHED  BY  E.  S.  JONES  &  CO.  * 

))  S.  W.  CORNER  OF  FOURTH  &  RACE  STS.  (r 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1852,  by 
SAMUEL  SLOAN, 

In  the  Clerk'a  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  in  and  for  the 

Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  FIRST  VOLUME. 


The  present  work  was  undertaken  with  considerable  deference  and  not  without  forethought.  For  some 
time  previous  to  its  commencement  the  author  had  been  engaged  in  preparing  designs  for  a  large  number 
of  country  residences  to  be  erected  in  widely  distant  places,  and  was  forcibly  struck  with  the  great  want 
of  information  displayed  by  those  concerned  in  these  matters.  It  is  true  that  much  has  been  written  and 
read  on  the  subject,  and  a  great  number  of  handsomely  engraved  designs  on  fine  paper  have  been  pre- 
sented to  the  public,  threatening  annihilation  to  the  architect's  bill,  but  no  one  knows  so  well  as  he  who 
has  trusted  in  these  promises,  the  difference  between  a  beautiful  picture  and  a  comfortable  dwelling.  In 
short  such  works  as  have  come  under  notice  are  quite  inadequate  to  the  end  proposed.  They  inculcate 
very  false  ideas  in  the  general  reader,  and  give  to  the  builder  no  new  or  valuable  information.  They  are 
much  better  ornaments  for  the  centre  table,  than  guides  to  a  practical  man. 

Impressed  with  these  views,  the  author  was  led  to  believe  that  the  production  of  a  "  matter  of  fact" 
business  like  book  on  cottages  and  country  residences  was  a  desideratum.  A  work  that  should  contain  a 
series  of  original  designs,  adapted  to  every  grade  of  living,  from  the  humblest  cottage  to  the  noblest  man- 
sion, all  accurately  delineated  to  a  scale,  so  that  every  one  might  examine  for  himself  and  judge  of  their 
practicability.  lie  also  deemed  it  requisite  that  these  designs  should  be  complete,  comprising  both 
elevations  and  plans,  together  with  all  such  details  as  are  usually  made  out  in  the  form  of  working 
drawings,  so  that  the  builder  might  have  all  parts,  both  ornamental  and  constructive,  immediately  before 
his  eye.  In  connexion  with  these,  there  should  be  such  specifications  and  bills  of  quantities  as  arc  usually 
prepared  by  an  architect,  and  in  addition,  articles  on  the  various  parts  of  the  building  that  should  furnish 
valuable  information  to  the  experienced  man  and  to  the  learner. 

The  work  thus  conceived  was  determined  upon.  It  was  afterwards  thought  desirable  to  elevate  its 
character,  by  adopting  such  features  as  would  render  it  interesting  and  valuable  to  the  general  reader  and 
projector,  as  well  as  to  the  artizan.  Accordingly,  so  far  as  practice  would  admit,  the  designs  were  embellished 
in  various  degrees,  and  the  best  artists  were  secured  for  the  engraving.  Great  care  and  pains  have  been 
expended  to  make  it  handsome,  interesting  and  creditable,  without  detracting  in  the  least  from  its  practical 
value.  Whether  this  high  mark  has  been  reached,  the  public  must  judge.  It  was  also  thought  desirable 
to  issue  the  work  in  monthly  numbers,  containing  two  complete  designs  each,  thus  placing  it  within  the 


f 


4 


g  PREFACE   TO   THE   FIRST  VOLUME. 

reach  of  every  one.  A  heavy  investment,  therefore,  was  not  required  at  the  outset ;  and  the  publishers 
were  thus  induced  to  expend  more  in  proportion  on  each  part,  than  would  otherwise  have  been  practicable. 
This  plan  too  gave  the  author  more  time  to  digest  and  prepare  each  design. 

The  designs  thus  produced  are  strictly  original.  No  work  had  been  consulted  for  hints,  but  all  are  such 
as  have  either  been  prepared  expressly  for  the  purpose  of  inserting  them  here,  or  have  occurred  in  the 
regular  course  of  business.  It  has  been  a  constant  endeavour  to  avoid  borrowed  features ,  and  if  there  be 
any  designs  which  bear  a  resemblance  to  others  already  published  or  erected,  the  author  is  not  aware  of  it; 
but  at  the  same  time  he  is  conscious  that  it  would  be  almost  impossible  to  exhibit  a  series  of  designs,  no 
one  of  which  should  be  at  all  similar  to  any  of  the  thousands  which  are  annually  prepared,  all  having 
a  common  object. 

For  the  letter-press  the  same  degree  of  originality  is  not  claimed.  On  the  contrary,  facts  have  been  col- 
lected from  every  available  and  reliable  source.  The  subjects  are  such  as  have  been  thoroughly  studied 
and  written  upon  long  ago,  and  it  would  be  the  height  of  folly  to  reject  the  aid  thus  proffered.  The 
collation  and  wording  of  these  facts,  however,  are  entirely  our  own,  and  they  are  accompanied  by  a  large 
amount  of  matter  never  heretofore  published ;  so  that  there  is  probably  much  more  originality  in  these 
essays  than  is  usually  found  in  works  of  the  kind.  They  consist  principally  of  a  series  of  articles  on  the 
successive  operations  in  the  process  of  building,  from  the  foundation  to  the  finishing,  each  being  described 
and  commented  upon.  Beside  these,  there  are  accounts  of  the  various  styles,  historical,  descriptive,  and 
critical,  and  other  articles  on  various  subjects  interesting  to  all  concerned.  Each  design  is  also  accompanied 
by  full  descriptions,  and  wherever  necessary,  by  specifications ;  though  towards  the  end  these,  and  the  bills 
of  quantities,  are  discontinued  io  avoid  the  constant  repetition  resulting  from  their  similarity. 

It  is  hoped  that  the  work  will  not  be  unacceptable  to  the  public.  Every  effort  has  been  made  to  add 
to  its  intrinsic  value,  to  give  it  variety,  and  to  improve  its  general  appearance.  Thus  far  it  has  been 
favored  with  extensive  patronage,  and  until  the  completion  of  the  next  volume  no  effort  will  be  relaxed  to 
deserve  its  continuance. 

SAMUEL  SLOAN,  Architect, 

Office,  154  Walnut  Street,  Pliiladelpliia. 


m%3^  — - —  


INTRODUCTION. 


jjjl  HEOUGIIOUT  the  circle  of  the  Fine  Arts,  none  is  less  indebted  to  nature  than  Architecture. 
|j|ff|fr  Poetry,  rhetoricians  tell  us,  is  an  imitative  art ;  sculpture  but  copies  natural  forms  of  beauty ; 
and  the  painter's  canvass  is  Nature's  mirror.  But  there  is  nothing  to  furnish  architectural 
designs.  Trifling  decorations  may  be  suggested  by  a  leaf  or  scroll,  but  the  resemblance  that  a  Doric 
column  bears  to  the  human  form,  or  the  Gothic  style  to  a  bower  of  trees,  is  a  fanciful  afterthought, 
and  not  the  bright  preconception  which  gave  them  birth.  The  art  stands  alone,  independent  and 
original.  Even  the  abodes  of  brute  creation  have  offered  no  aid,  and  the  caverns  of  the  earth  mock,  by 
their  rugged  grandeur,  our  daring  aspirations.  The  architect  has  drawn  entirely  from  within  himself,  and 
given  material  embodiment  to  an  abstract  conception  of  fitness. 

Although  so  entirely  artificial  in  its  origin,  architecture  nevertheless  is  completely  under  the  control  of 
nature.  Mechanical  lawrs  enforce  obedience  in  every  structure.  The  inherent  principles  of  good  taste 
circumscribe  design.  If  the  architect  violates  certain  proportions,  disregards  style,  or  rejects  ornament, 
then  his  design,  however  well  executed  in  other  respects,  loses  all  charm  and  offends  every  refined  judg- 
ment. Plans  suited  to  purpose,  an  appearance  in  unison  with  the  locality,  an  adaptation  of  parts  to  the 
whole,  and  an  appropriate  use  of  ornament,  are  all  essential  to  comply  with  the  requisitions  of  cultivated 
taste.  Thus,  in  every  enlightened  nation,  we  find  a  massive  castle  erected  for  defence  or  confinement,  a 
cottage  or  villa  for  a  country  residence,  a  palace  for  a  king,  and  a  grand  temple  or  gorgeous  Gothic  pile  for 
the  worship  of  a  God.  What  artist  paints  the  marble  city  mansion,  surrounded  by  a  pretty  rural  scene, 
or  a  villa  towering  upon  a  mountain  cliff,  surrounded  by  jagged  rocks  ?  Yet  such  singular  combinations 
often  occur  in  real  life,  producing  harsh  discord. 

The  erection  of  these  incongruities,  however,  marks  an  important  step  towards  refinement.  They  are 
the  first  attempts  of  a  nation  to  rise  above  mere  utility,  and  as  information  is  disseminated,  and  a  taste  for 
the  Fine  Arts  cultivated,  these  will  gradually  disappear,  while  beautiful,  appropriate  and  correct  designs 
take  precedence.  In  this,  as  well  as  other  respects,  no  people  perhaps  is  advancing  so  rapidly  as  our 
own.  A  few  years  ago,  when  the  country  was  new  and  the  population  sparse,  we  were  satisfied  with 
whatever  supplied  the  bare  necessities  of  life,  but  in  the  older  states  resources  have  rapidly  increased,  and 
with  them  the  means  of  conducing  to  comfort,  and  of  gratifying  that  innate  love  of  the  beautiful,  which 
has  been  developed  so  rapidly,  and  is  diffusing  itself  among  every  class.    In  consequence,  everywhere 

throughout  our  land,  which  nature  has  decorated  in  such  profusion,  may  be  seen  springing  up  ornamental 

.3  9 


mg&&*  :  -^^i 

S§     JO  INTRODUCTION. 

IP'  ...  1 

y     cottages,  villas  for  retired  merchants,  and  summer  residences  for  citizens,  all  having  some  pretensions  to  J 

style  and  ornament.  A  few  are  indeed  beautiful,  and  at  once  characterize  the  projector  as  a  man  of  taste 
and  cultivation,  but  it  is  a  great  pity  that  many,  perhaps  the  majority,  are  vain  attempts  at  elegance,  and 
are  not  only  destitute  of  grace  in  themselves,  but  are  deformities  on  the  fair  face  of  nature. 

Still  it  is  a  pleasing  fact,  that  the  effort  is  being  made  to  throw  the  charm  of  beauty  around  such  build- 
ings, for  by  it  we  are  assured  that  at  no  very  distant  day,  Art  will  join  Nature  in  decking  our  land  with 
beautiful  creations.  The  people  are  anxious  to  learn,  and  as  the  sources  of  information  increase,  so  will 
the  principles  of  good  taste  be  diffused.  More  elegant  buildings  will  be  erected,  the  mere  contemplation  of 
which  will  conduce  to  advancement,  for  every  time  a  man  feels  the  exquisite  thrilling  sense  of  beauty,  his 
soul  becomes  more  susceptible  of  its  impressions,  more  sensible  of  its  presence,  and  more  capable  of  distin- 
guishing the  false  from  the  true.    Thus  docs  the  national  character  become  infused  with  refinement. 

The  public  are  already  aware  of  the  fact,  that  by  a  due  exercise  of  taste  and  judgment  a  dwelling  may 
be  erected,  which  will  combine  comfort  and  modern  convenience  with  elegance  and  finished  ornament, 
adding  at  the  same  time  little  or  nothing  to  the  cost.  It  is  true  also,  that  thousands  of  dollars  may  be 
expended  in  decorations,  and  the  result  be  mere  gaudy  ostentation,  utterly  devoid  of  pleasing  effect.  The 
wealthy  man  may  build  more  extensively,  and  with  more  luxurious  splendour  than  one  in  moderate  cir- 
cumstances, but  he  cannot  build  more  tastefully.  Even  a  simple  labourer,  at  no  additional  expense,  may 
give  a  highly  picturesque  effect  to  his  humble  home.  The  painter  more  frequently  copies  landscapes  sur- 
rounding a  lowly  but  beautiful  cottage,  than  those  around  the  lordly  mansion. 

A  man's  dwelling,  at  the  present  day,  is  not  only  an  index  of  his  wealth,  but  also  of  his  character. 
The  moment  he  begins  to  build,  his  adopted  style  of  living,  the  refinement  of  his  tastes,  and  the  pecu- 
liarities of  his  judgment,  arc  all  laid  bare  for  public  inspection  and  criticism.  And  the  public  makes  free 
use  of  this  prerogative.  In  such  a  case  it  expects  an  effort  to  be  made,  and  forms  opinions  upon  the 
result.  We  arc  beginning  to  see  intellect  admired  more  than  wealth  or  power,  and  he  who  builds  a 
beautiful  residence  now,  is  as  much  respected  as  were  the  old  Barons  with  their  vast  domains  and  troops 
of  retainers. 

But  no  one  can  measure  how  much  the  charms  of  home  are  heightened  by  adding  all  the  delights  of 
tasteful  elegance  to  the  associations  which  throng  its  sacred  precincts.  Around  this  spot  all  the 
thoughts  and  affections  circle.  Here  is  rest.  If  peace  be  not  here,  it  will  not  be  found  on  earth.  Then 
whatever  beautifies  and  adorns  home,  adds  directly  to  comfort  and  happiness,  nor  is  there  any  thing  so 
antagonistic  to  vice  as  its  alluring  delights.  Indeed,  all  that  is  pure  in  human  nature,  all  the  tender 
affections  and  gentle  endearments  of  childhood,  all  the  soothing  comforts  of  old  age,  all  that  makes 
memory  a  blessing,  the  present  delightful,  and  gives  to  hope  its  spur,  cluster  around  that  holy  place — 
home.  % 

I 

Q£B3^   -c^gOQ 


f 


ARCHITECTURAL  STYLE. 


UMAN  habitations  were  first  erected  in  compliance  with  the  demands  of  necessity.  When 
Architecture  arose  from  this  position  into  all  the  dignity  of  a  Fine  Art,  it  was  essential,  while 
supplying  these  demands,  that  it  should  contribute  largely  to  ease  and  comfort,  and  also 
gratify  our  instinctive  love  of  the  beautiful.  This  love  of  beauty  is  not,  however,  the  cause  of  the 
various  styles  in  architecture.  Beauty  is  universally  the  same,  and  the  love  of  it  is  innate.  It 
was  created  first,  and  man  then  blessed  with  the  perception  of  it.  The  same  command  which 
gave  birth  to  light  gave  birth  to  beauty,  and  it  is  as  much  beyond  our  control  as  the  rise  and  set  of  sun. 
It  is  true  there  are  various  tastes  arising  from  different  degrees  of  perception  of  beauty,  but  primarily  their 
principles  are  the  same.  The  grade  of  refinement,  or  mode  of  education  may  determine  the  purity  of  taste, 
or  an  edict  of  fashion  may  for  a  time  distort  its  features,  yet  like  a  twisted  branch  it  will  regain  its  natural 
position.  In  consequence  of  this  oneness  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  taste,  we  find  in  every  part  of  the 
globe  that  refined  nations  have  always  built  in  a  style  consonant  with  the  object  and  locality,  and  have 
given  an  expression  of  uniformity  amid  variety,  of  fitness  of  means  to  an  end,  of  utility  in  ornament,  and 
of  symmetry  in  proportions.  We  must  look  beyond  this  for  the  cause  of  the  characteristic  national  styles 
of  architecture. 

The  cause  exists  in  our  natural  and  artificial  necessities.  These  vary  with  the  climate,  with  national 
customs  and  character,  and  with  the  advancement  of  the  mechanic  arts.  Thus  in  northern  latitudes  we 
find  the  high  pointed  roof,  adapted  to  throw  off  the  snow  which  falls  in  such  immense  quantities.  In 
warmer  regions,  no  such  cause  existing,  the  flat  roof  is  more  prevalent.  Porches  and  verandahs  are  not 
used  in  the  north  to  the  same  extent  that  they  are  south.  In  an  unsettled  country,  agitated  by  civil  war 
or  infested  by  banditti,  a  massive  style  is  adopted,  so  that  every  man's  house  may  be  a  fortress.  The 
social  character  of  the  people,  the  amount  and  kind  of  building  material,  the  number  and  skill  of  artizans, 
all  produce  effect.    These  are  the  impulses  which  give  direction  to  architectural  style. 

All  styles  may  be  divided  into  two  classes,  that  derived  from  the  post  and  lintel,  and  that  derived  from 
the  arch.  These  are  sometimes  called  the  horizontal  and  perpendicular  styles,  the  Grecian  being  a 
perfect  type  of  the  first,  and  the  Gothic  of  the  second.  Frequently  both  are  introduced  in  the  same 
building,  but  generally  with  bad  effect.  Judging  from  the  remains  of  the  Greeks,  they  are  supposed 
not  to  have  been  acquainted  with  the  arch  as  an  element  of  building.  The  Romans  were  probably 
the  first  who  employed  it,  which  they  did  profusely,  intermingling  it  with  the  Grecian  orders;  but  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  dark  ages,  on  account  of  its  ready  adaptation,  the  arched  style  was  used  almost 
exclusively. 

11 


T9  ARCHITECTURAL   STYLE.  q 

We  know  very  little  of  the  domestic  architecture  of  the  ancients,  but  in  all  their  heavy  public  edifices  ( 
they  have  shown  themselves  to  be  far  more  skillful  and  tasteful  architects  than  the  moderns.  Their 
stupendous  structures  defy  the  rough  touch  of  time,  and  even  to  this  day  preserve  their  exquisite  beauty. 
From  the  Middle  Ages  we  have  the  elaborate,  solemn  Gothic,  and  the  massive  Norman.  From  more 
remote  time,  the  Roman,  with  its  ornate  and  luxurious  magnificence,  the  Grecian  with  its  chaste  and 
severe  simplicity,  and  the  Egyptian  with  its  ponderous  and  sepulchral  grandeur.  There  are  masses  of 
masonry  older  even  than  these,  but  without  the  high  finish  essential  to  a  style. 

In  domestic  architecture,  however,  the  moderns  have  never  been  surpassed  for  comfort  and  convenience. 
Throughout  England  and  America,  all  kinds  of  style  in  their  different  adaptations  are  used,  and  indeed  at 
the  present  day  there  are  few  countries  in  which  a  peculiar  national  style  is  exclusively  adopted.  More 
generally,  those  existing  are  remodelled  and  mixed  in  a  variety  of  ways  to  suit  different  purposes.  Every 
pure  style,  however,  has  features  peculiar  to  itself,  and  is  thus  rendered  distinct  from  all  others.  The  pro- 
portions, ornaments,  or  any  of  the  characteristics  which  thus  isolate  it,  if  connected  with  another,  produce 
a  discordant  and  disagreeable  effect.  Hence  men  of  just  taste  reject  this  hybrid  style,  and  their  residences 
are  generally  designed  and  ornamented  correctly.  In  the  course  of  this  work,  specimens  of  the  various 
styles  will  be  given,  and  their  history,  distinguishing  features,  and  whatever  else  of  interest  may  be  con- 
nected with  them,  will  be  discussed. 


AN    ITALIAN  VILLA. 
DES.IGN  FIRST. 

This  Villa  is  designed  after  those  which  have  been  prevalent  in  Italy  since  the  fifteenth  century.  The  style  has  been 
introduced  into  other  parts  of  Europe,  into  England  and  America,  and  so  well  adapted  is  it  to  the  wants  and  tastes  of  our 
people,  that  it  is  likely  to  become,  if  it  is  not  already,  one  of  our  most  fashionable  styles  for  country  residences.  It  pos- 
sesses very  little  of  the  rural  character,  and  seems  much  more  appropriate  for  the  retired  home  of  one  accustomed  to  city 
life,  than  for  one  born  and  bred  in  the  country.  Its  location,  consequently,  should  not  be  in  the  depths  of  the  forest,  but 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  city.  The  grounds  around,  arranged  in  smooth  lawns,  groves,  gravelled  walks,  and  finished 
gardens,  accord  well  with  the  general  expression  of  the  style.  A  fountain  in  front,  and  a  few  vases  or  statues  scattered 
here  and  there  add  to  the  pleasing  effect. 

The  Perspective  View,  Plate  I.,  exhibits  the  general  appearance  of  the  building  very  happily.  The  gables  on  either  side 
of  the  campanile  give  symmetry  to  the  front,  and  at  the  same  time,  take  away  that  monotony  and  rigid  uniformity,  which 
is  likely  to  result  from  the  nearly  rectangular  ground  plan,  and  which  above  all  things  is  to  be  avoided  in  country  houses. 
The  campanile  appears  like  a  centre,  around  which  the  other  parts  of  the  building  are  grouped.    The  porch  over  the  main 


AN   ITALIAN  VILLA. 


13 


entrance,  the  stained  glass  windows,  and  the  balconies,  make  it  the  most  ornamental  feature,  while  the  verandah  on 
the  right,  and  the  conservatory  on  the  left,  give  the  whole  an  expression  of  ease  and  elegance.  The  windows  opening 
into  the  verandah  may  be  made  to  reach  the  floor,  and  thus  render  it  accessible  from  the  parlor  as  well  as  the 
library. 

Plate  II.  is  a  front  elevation  of  the  same,  giving  the  proportions  correctly,  and  exhibiting  the  constructive  features  of  the 
building  more  distinctly.  Very  many  of  the  more  prominent  details  may  be  taken  directly  from  this  plate,  without  any 
reference  to  others. 

Plate  III.  exhibits  the  plans  of  the  first  and  second  stories.  The  great  conveniences  of  this  compact  and  delightful 
arrangement  of  apartments  are  here  made  evident.  We  see  that  the  building  will  readily  accommodate  a  family  of  eight 
or  ten  members,  servants  inclusive.  As  the  kitchen  is  immediately  beneath  the  room  marked  Sitting  R.,  it  might  be 
more  convenient  to  use  this  as  a  dining  room,  and  to  use  the  room  opposite  the  parlor  as  a  sitting  room. 

Plate  IV.  consists  of  details.  Fig.  1  exhibits  a  column  of  the  front  porch,  with  a  section  through  the  architrave,  frieze 
and  cornice. — Fig.  2,  the  base  of  the  first  and  second  stories. — Fig.  3,  inside  doors. — Fig.  4,  cornice  and  cautaliver  of  the 
tower. — Fig.  5,  section  of  an  inside  door,  with  the  dressings. 

Plate  V.  is  also  detail  drawings. — Fig.  1  shows  a  section  of  the  platform  of  the  tower  balcony  with  bracket. — Fig.  2,  front 
of  the  same. — Fig;  3,  cornice,  with  cantaliver  and  section  of  wall. — Fig.  4,  verandah  post  with  capital. — Fig.  5,  balusters,. — 
Figs.  6  and  9,  section  through  a  window  head  and  sill. — Fig.  7,  section  of  the  verandah  cornice. — Fig.  8,  conservatory 
post  showing  the  sash. — Fig.  10,  window  frames  with  dressings. 

All  other  information  necessary  to  construction  may  be  gathered  without  difficulty  from  the  following  complete 

SPECIFICATION 

Of  the  workmanship  and  materials  required  in  the  erection  of  Design  First. 

DIMENSIONS. — The  entire  extent  of  the  front  is  sixty-two  feet,  that  of  the  side  is  forty-one  feet  together  with  eleven 
feet  for  the  projection  and  verandah  in  the  rear.  The  first  story  containing  a  vestibule,  a  hall,  a  double  flight  of  stairs,  a 
dining  room,  sitting  room,  parlour,  library,  store  room,  private  stairs,  closets,  &c,  is  to  be  thirteen  feet  four  inches  high  to 
the  top  of  the  second  floor.  The  second  story,  containing  five  chambers,  a  bath  room,  eight  wardrobe  closets,  and  stairs 
leading  to  the  tower,  is  to  be  ten  feet  in  the  clear.  The  room  in  the  tower  is  to  be  nine  feet  high  in  the  clear.  The 
roof  is  to  pitch  six  feet.  For  the  divisions  and  other  general  dimensions,  reference  is  to  be  had  to  the  plans  on 
Plate  III. 

EXCAVATIONS. — The  cellar  is  to  extend  the  entire  length  and  breadth  of  the  building,  and  to  be  six  feet  deep  below 
the  luie  of  the  yard  pavement.  The  portion  under  the  sitting  room,  private  stairs  and  entry,  is  to  be  arranged  for  a  kitchen. 
There  is  to  be  likewise,  in  the  rear,  an  area  of  the  same  depth,  by  five  feet  wide  at  the  bottom,  with  a  bank  sloping  up- 
wards and  outwards  at  an  angle  of  sixty  degrees.  The  trenches  for  foundations  in  the  cellar  are  to  be  eight  inches  deep, 
and  those  under  the  verandahs  and  conservatory  arc  to  be  two  feet  and  a  half  deep.  The  earth  is  to  be  graded  around 
the  building  from  the  under-side  of  the  water-table  to  a  distance  of  five  feet  from  the  wall.  All  superfluous  earth  is  to  be 
removed  from  the  grounds,  or  to  such  parts  thereof  as  may  be  directed. 

STONE  WORK— All  the  outside  walls  of  the  cellar,  and  the  foundations  of  the  appendages  are  to  be  composed  of 
quarry  building  stone  of  a  good  quality.  These  walls  are  to  be  eighteen  inches  thick,  and  built  as  high  as  the  under  side 
of  the  joists,  and  all  based  upon  a  course  of  long  flat  stone,  well  and  solidly  laid  in  mortar.  The  mortar  is  to  be  composed 
of  coarse,  sharp  sand,  and  wood-burnt  lime,  in  such  proportions  as  to  insure  the  strongest  cement.  All  the  facings  are  to 
be  smooth  dashed  and  lime  washed. 

BRICK  WORK. — The  superstructure  upon  the  stone  wall  is  to  be  composed  of  bricks.  It  is  to  be  of  double  thickness, 
with  a  hollow  space  in  the  centre  one  and  a  half  inches  wide.  No  soft  bricks  are  to  be  used  in  the  outer  course.  The 
division  walls  in  the  cellar  are  to  be  of  hard  brick,  and  of  double  thickness,  with  doorways,  &c.  All  flues  are  to  be  formed 
for  gas,  warm  air  and  ventilation,  as  shown  on  the  plans,  and  as  may  he  directed  during  the  progress  of  erection.  They 
are  to  be  pargettcd  and  topped  out  with  smooth  brick,  as  shown  upon  the  elevation.    The  walls  on  either  side  of  the  hall 

4 


 _  <^^baOCj 


I 


14  AN    ITALIAN  VILLA 

are  to  be  of  brick,  one  story  high,  and  of  double  thickness.  There  is  to  be  a  case  of  brick  in  the  cellar  under  the  hall,  largo 
enoufh  to  receive  a  furnace  sufficient  to  warm  the  whole  house.  The  area,  the  provision  cellar  and  pantry,  are  to  be  paved 
with  good  paving  bricks,  laid  in  mortar.  The  area  is  to  have  a  guard  wall  fourteen  inches  high  to  support  the  bank,  also  a 
gutter  to  convey  water  to  a  cess  pool  at  the  end  for  drainage. 

JOISTS,  kc. — The  joists  of  the  first  story  are  to  be  of  spruce  or  white  oak,  three  by  twelve  inches ;  those  of  the  second 
story  are  to  be  hemlock  of  good  quality,  three  by  eleven  inches ;  all  to  be  placed  sixteen  inches  between  centres,  to  be 
backed,  and  have  one  course  of  herring  bone  bridging  through  the  centre.  The  ceiling  joists  are  to  be  three  by  five 
inches,  and  placed  sixteen  inches  between  centres.  The  joists  in  the  tower  are  to  be  three  by  nine  inches,  and  the  same 
distance  apart.  The  rafters  are  to  be  three  by  five  inches,  and  placed  two  feet  between  centres.  They  are  to  be  sheathed 
with  one  inch  quartered  and  grooved  boards.  The  studding  throughout  the  partitions  is  to  be  three  by  four  inches,  those 
for  the  doors  three  by  six  inches,  and  all  placed  sixteen  inches  between  centres.  The  sleepers  in  the  basement  are  to  be 
of  white  oak,  three  by  four  inches,  and  placed  twenty  inches  between  centres. 

FLOORS. — The  iloors  throughout  the  interior  of  the  building  are  to  be  laid  with  one  inch  Carolina,  heart  pine,  well 
worked,  well  seasoned,  firmly  nailed  to  the  joists  with  eightpenny  nails,  and  afterwards  smoothed  off.  The  front  vestibule 
is  to  be  floored  with  white  pine  plank,  not  over  four  inches  wide  or  one  inch  and  a  half  thick,  grooved  together,  with  white 
lead  in  all  the  joints. 

WINDOWS. — All  the  windows  are  to  correspond  to  the  elevation  and  detail  drawings.  The  sash  are  to  be  one  inch 
and  a  half  thick,  and  double  hung  with  the  best  one  and  three-quarter  inch  axle  pulleys  and  patent  cord.  The  sash  in  the 
tower  and  conservatory  are  to  be  diamond.  The  side  windows  of  the  parlor,  dining  room,  and  second  story  hall  front 
are  to  extend  to  the  floor.  The  windows  of  the  wings  and  the  rear  are  to  have  close  shutters  on  the  first  story  one  inch 
and  a  half  thick,  each  shutter  to  have  three  panels  with  suitable  mouldings.  The  corresponding  windows  in  the  second 
story  are  to  have  one  and  a  half  inch  pivot  blinds.  The  shutters  to  each  window  are  to  be  in  two  parts,  and  all  are 
to  be  hung  with  good  strap  hinges,  and  secured  by  ten  inch  bolts  in  the  first  story,  and  eight  inch  .bolts  in  the  second 
story.  The  front  windows  are  to  have  inside  shutters  of  three  folds,  with  four  panels  each,  and  mouldings.  They  are 
to  be  hung  in  two  parts  each,  and  secured  in  the  usual  way. 

DOORS. — The  front  doors  are  to  be  folding,  two  inches  and  a  half  thick,  with  four  panels  in  each,  and  finished  by 
mouldings  and  fillets.  They  are  to  be  hung  with  three  four  by  four  inch  butts,  and  secured  by  an  eight  inch  mortice  lock, 
with'  a  night  key,  and  by  two  iron  plate  flush  bolts.  All  the  room  doors  on  the  first  story  are  to  be  two  inches  thick, 
and  contain  eight  panels  each,  with  mouldings  and  fillets.  They  are  to  be  hung  with  two  four  by  four  inch  butts,  and 
fastened  with  four  inch  mortice  locks.  All  outer  doors  are  to  be  two  inches  thick,  having  a  bead  butt  on  the  inside, 
and  moulding  with  fillets  on  the  outside.  The  room  doors  in  second  story  and  basement  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  half 
thick,  with  mouldings  on  both  sides,  and  hung  with  three  and  a  half  inch  butts,  and  secured  by  three  inch  mortice  locks. 
All  outer  doors  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  quarter  thick,  hung  with  two  and  a  half  by  three  inch  butts,  and  secured  by  locks 
wherever  necessary. 

DRESSINGS. — The  parlor,  dining  room  and  hall,  are  to  be  finished  with  seven  inch  pilasters,  and  a  moulding  band 
two  inches  and  a  half  square.  The  front  windows  must  have  panelled  backs.  •  The  wash-board  is  to  be  seven  inches  wide, 
with  a  two  inch  and  a  half  sub,  and  a  two  inch  moulding.  The  second  story  is  to  have  five  inch  pilasters,  with  a  two  and  a 
half  inch  square  band.  The  wash-board  is  to  be  six  inches  wide,  with  a  two  and  a  half  inch  sub,  and  a  two  inch  mould- 
in!?.    The  cornice  is  to  be  constructed  according  to  the  drawings. 

CLOSETS. — All  the  closets  and  wardrobes  throughout  the  building  are  to  be  fitted  up  and  fully  shelved.  Three  in  the 
second  story  are  to  have  each  a  set  of  drawers.    The  store  room  also  is  to  be  fitted  up  with  all  necessary  shelves. 

STAIRS. — The  main  stairs  are  to  be  made  of  the  best  heart  step  boards,  one  inch  and  a  quarter  thick,  and  put  up  in 
the  best  manner.  The  newels  are  to  be  mahogany,  eight  inches  square,  with  turned  cap  and  base,  and  with  an  octagon 
shaft.  The  rail  is  to  be  four  inches  square  moulded,  also  mahogany.  The  balusters  are  to  be  one  inch  and  three  quarters 
in  diameter,  and  turned  of  maple  or  other  hard  wood.  The  private  stairs  leading  from  the  basement  to  the  upper  room  in 
the  tower,  are  to  be  made  of  one  inch  heart  step  boards,  put  together  as  is  usual  for  such  stairs. 

VERANDAHS. — The  verandahs  each  are  to  be  constructed  in  accordance  with  the  drawings.  The  floors  are  to  be  of 
white  pine  one  inch  thick,  grooved  together  with  white  lead  in  the  joints.  The  ceiling  is  to  be  lined  with  well  seasoned, 
grooved,  quartered  and  beaded  boards,  smoothed  for  painting.  The  roof  of  the  one  on  the  side  is  to  be  curved,  of  that 
on  the  rear  to  be  flat.  The  roof  of  the  conservatory  is  also  to  be  curved.  The  posts,  caps,  &c,  are  to  be  executed  as  in 
the  detail  drawings.  The  entrance  porch  is  to  be  constructed  according  to  the  drawings,  and  in  the  best  manner.  The 
sash  of  the  conservatory  in  the  south  wing  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  half  thick,  and  so  constructed  as  to  be  readily  moved. 

TINNING. — All  the  roofs  are  to  be  overlaid  with  the  best  quality  one  cross  leaded  tin,  painted  on  both  sides ;  the  upper 
side  to  have  two  coats.  All  necessary  gutters,  and  four  three  inch  conductors  to  convey  the  water  from  the  roof,  are  to  be 
put  up  and  secured  to  a  wall  string  in  the  best  manner. 


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15 


ROUGH-CASTING. — All  the  outside  walls  are  to  be  rough-cast  in  the  very  best  manner,  by  a  workman  familiar  with 
the  business.    The  materials  are  to  be  of  the  best  kind,  and  the  whole  laid  off  in  blocks. 

PLASTERING. — All  the  walls  and  ceilings  inside  are  to  be  plastered  with  two  coats  of  brown  mortar,  and  one  of  white 
hard  finish.  The  parlor,  dining  room  and  hall,  are  to  have  a  cornice  in  the  angle  to  girt  eighteen  inches.  Each  room 
and  hall  is  to  have  a  sunken  panel  on  the  ceiling  three  inches  deep,  with  an  enriched  moulding,  also  a  centre  flower 
three  feet  six  inches  in  diameter,  and  one  in  the  hall  three  feet  in  diameter.  The  front  rooms  and  hall  of  the  second  story 
are  to  have  a  cornice  girting  fourteen  inches,  and  all  other  walls  to  be  plain.  The  mortar  must  be  composed  of  clean 
river  sand,  and  wood  burnt  lime  in  proportions  to  insure  strength.  The  hair  mixed  with  it  must  be  sound,  and  the  lath 
free  from  bark. 

PAINTING  AND  GLAZING. — All  wood  work,  inside  and  out,  is  to  have  three  coats  of  the  best  white-lead  paint,  and 
of  such  tints  as  the  owner  may  direct.  The  outside  steps  are  to  receive  four  coats  of  paint,  and  be  well  sanded.  All  glass 
is  to  be  of  the  best  quality  of  American  manufacture,  well  bradded,  bedded  and  back  puttied. 

HARDWARE. — All  hardware  necessary  to  make  the  building  complete  in  every  part  must  be  of  the  best  quality  of 
American  manufacture.  All  the  door  knobs,  except  those  of  the  kitchen,  are  to  be  of  porcelain.  There  are  to  be  seven 
bells,  including  that  of  the  front  door,  placed  in  such  rooms  as  the  owner  may  wish.  All  the  metal  furniture  of  the  front 
door  is  to  be  silver  plated. 

PLUMBING. — A  reservoir  of  five  hundred  gallons  capacity,  strongly  made  with  two  inch  plank,  and  lined  with  lead 
weighing  three  pounds  to  the  foot,  is  to  be  placed  in  the  loft  over  the  bath  room.  The  bath  tub  is  also  to  be  made  of 
boards,  panelled  in  front,  and  lined  with  lead  weighing  five  pounds  to  the  foot.  A  force  pump  is  to  be  placed  in  the 
kitchen,  with  tubes  leading  to  the  reservoir,  the  boiler  back  of  the  range,  and  sink  in  the  kitchen.  The  bath  tub  and  sink 
are  also  to  be  furnished  with  a  hot  water  pipe  extra  strong,  and  all  necessary  draw  and  stop  cocks  are  to  be  placed  upon 
the  different  pipes,  so  that  the  whole  work  may  be  finished  in  the  best  manner. 

COOKING  RANGE. — The  kitchen  is  to  be  furnished  with  a  medium  size  range  of  the  best  and  most  improved  con- 
struction, with  a  twenty-five  gallon  boiler  attached,  and  so  arranged  as  to  heat  the  room  above  and  bath  room. 

FURNACE. — There  is  to  be  a  furnace  in  the  cellar  to  warm  the  whole  of  the  first  story  except  the  sitting  room,  and 
the  second  story.  The  flues  to  convey  the  heat  to  the  different  rooms  are  to  be  tin  cased,  and  furnished  with  approved 
registers  richly  bronzed. 

FINALLY. — All  the  work  is  to  be  done  in  the  best  workmanlike  manner,  according  to  the  elevation,  plan  and  detail 
drawings  exhibited  on  plates  II.,  III.,  IV.  and  V.,  and  according  to  the  general  intent  and  meaning  of  this  specification, 
subject  at  all  times  to  the  decision  of  an  architect. 


GENERAL  ESTIMATE 
OF  THE  COST  IN  ERECTING  DESIGN  FIRST. 

The  cost  of  the  building  will  of  course  vary  with  the  location,  with  the  kind  and  abundance  of  material,  &c.  We  sup- 
pose it  to  be  situated  near  a  city,  where  the  price  of  labor,  material  and  transportation  is  not  greater  than  in  this  section 
of  the  United  States.    In  other  parts  of  the  country,  a  calculation  is  easily  matle  by  comparing  costs. 

Built  of  brick,  and  finished  in  other  respects  according  to  the  specification,  the  total  sum  will  not  be  more  than  §5,000. 
If  stone  be  substituted,  the  sum  will  be  but  $4,800.  If  the  size  of  the  building  be  reduced,  so  as  to  accommodate  a  family 
of  but  six  or  eight  persons,  servants  included,  it  will  diminish  the  cost  to  about  $4,000.  These  are  estimates  in  round 
numbers,  but  they  are  calculated  from  a  bill  of  items,  which  it  was  deemed  unnecessary  to  give,  and  if  there  is  any  error, 
it  lies  in  an  excess. 


GOTHIC  ARCHITECTURE. 


8 


■  UCH  difference  of  opinion  has  existed  respecting  the  origin  of  the  Gothic  style  in  Archi- 
tecture.   Many  of  the  best  writers  on  the  subject  believe  that  it  was  brought  from  the 
East.    There  have  been  found,  both  in  India  and  Persia,  structures  of  undoubted  antiquity, 
which  comprise  as  a  prominent  feature  the  pure  Gothic  arch.    They  suppose  it  to  have 
been  brought  from  thence  by  the  Arabians,  and  by  them  carried  into  Spain ;  that  here  the  Goths 
adopted  it,  who,  being  acquainted  with  Roman  architecture,  and  mixing  its  details  to  some 
extent  with  the  other,  produced  the  style  which  has  received  their  name. 

Others  have  believed  that  the  style  originated  among  the  Ostrogoths,  and  was  by  them  introduced  into 
Italy  under  Theodoric,  A.  D.  484,  where  it  received  its  finish.  Some  have  imagined  the  pyramid  to  be 
its  source ;  others,  more  poetical,  have  supposed  that  the  general  effect  of  the  style  was  planned  by  some 
bright  genius  in  imitation  of  a  grove,  and  hence  the  minor  ornaments  are  taken  from  foliage.  The  fret 
work,  the  groined  arches,  the  pillars  in  the  nave,  and  the  tracery  of  the  windows,  do  bear  a  distant,  but 
beautiful  resemblance  to  the  arcades  and  interlacing  boughs  of  a  grove. 

The  true  origin  of  the  style,  however,  is  to  be  found  in  the  corruption  of  the  Grecian  orders  by  the 
Romans,  which  was  continued  through  the  Dark  Ages,  until  all  trace  of  the  original  disappeared. 

The  Lombards,  who  succeeded  the  Goths  in  Italy,  were  thoroughly  acquainted  with  Roman  archi- 
tecture. They  were  expelled  by  Charlemagne,  and  dispersed  throughout  Europe.  In  consequence  of  their 
different  habits,  the  different  material,  and  an  inferior  degree  of  skill  in  their  artizans,  they  soon  made 
their  style  of  building  distinct  from  the  Roman.  The  arch  was  found  more  convenient,  and  was  adopted 
to  the  exclusion  of  the  Grecian  column.    They  built  more  coarsely  and  more  massively. 

The  Normans,  on  their  conversion^  to  Christianity,  adopted  this  style,  and  so  improved  was  it  by  the 
zeal  of  their  monks  in  ecclesiastical  architecture,  that  it  became  their  own.  They  built  with  greater 
finish,  enlarged  the  arches,  introduced  more  of  them,  added  decorative  mouldings,  and  produced  mag- 
nificent structures,  that  yet  stand  to  rival  modern  skill.  Their  vast  conquests  soon  established  these 
improvements  throughout  Europe,  and  after  their  settlement  in  England  more  attention  was  given  to 
the  art. 

Further  changes  were  now  made.    Ornaments  were  used  in  greater  profusion.    The  arches  were 

multiplied  and  stilted.    They  were  brought  in  close  proximity,  and  finaUy  made  to  intersect  each  other, 

/a    tnus  producing  the  pointed  arch.    This  was  then  exclusively  adopted.    Perpendicular  lines  increased  in  % 
16 


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®  8 

>U  GOTHIC     ARCHITECTURE.  1 7  £M 

i)  ...  5 

9j    number.    The  walls  were  built  less  massively,  and  buttresses  with  pinnacles  appeared.    More  decorations  \f 
were  superadded,  and  other  changes  made,  until  in  the  latter  part  of  the  twelfth  century  the  Gothic 
Btyle  stands  confessed  and  distinct,  presenting  a  most  striking  contrast  to  the  styles  of  the  ancients. 

The  Gothic  style  has  never  been  subjected  to  rules  so  strict  as  its  predecessors.  There  has  always 
been  great  freedom  allowed,  not  only  in  ornaments  but  in  proportions,  and  consequently,  from  the  time  it 
was  first  recognized  until  its  abandonment,  it  was  undergoing  constant,  though  very  gradual  changes ;  yet 
such  strongly  marked  features  have  characterized  its  different  stages  of  development,  that  it  may  readily 
be  subdivided,  and  its  progress  thus  explained. 

The  Early  English  style  prevailed  from  the  latter  part  of  the  twelfth  until  the  latter  part  of  the 
thirteenth  century.  It  has  been  called  the  Lancet  Pointed  style  from  the  peculiar  form  of  the  windows. 
These  were  pointed,  long,  narrow  and  without  tracery.  Towards  the  first  of  this  period  they  were  placed 
singly,  but  afterwards  in  groups,  occasionally  combined  under  one  large  arch,  and  the  tympanum  thus 
formed  was  sometimes  pierced  with  a  trefoil.  The  doors  were  massive  with  deep  jambs,  and  the  Norman 
zig-zag  was  replaced  by  the  tooth  moulding.  The  flying  buttress  was  introduced,  and  the  conical  roof  of 
the  tower  was  elongated,  thus  forming  a  tapering  spire.  There  are  not  a  great  many  original  specimens 
of  this  style  extant.  Salisbury  Cathedral  is  perhaps  the  most  perfect,  and  some  parts  of  Westminster 
Abbey  built  thus,  are  in  a  good  state  of  preservation. 

By  an  easy  transition,  we  now  pass  into  the  Decorated  style,  which  flourished  between  the  latter  part 
of  the  thirteenth  and  the  latter  part  of  the  fourteenth  centuries.  It  existed  under  the  reign  of  Edward  I., 
but  chiefly  prevailed  under  those  of  Edward  II.  and  Edward  III.,  and  is  considered  the  perfection  of 
medieval  architecture.  It  was  characterized  by  purity  in  ornament,  with  greater  freedom  and  richness  in 
design.  The  principal  feature  is  the  window :  it  is  considerably  enlarged,  and  the  arch  made  obtuse,  or 
with  the  apex  and  points  of  impost  at  equal  distances,  forming  the  equilateral  arch.  The  space  included 
in  this  triangle,  or  tympanum  as  it  is  called,  is  filled  with  tracery,  sometimes  geometrical,  but  generally 
flowing  in  most  graceful  curves,  the  mullions  branching  out  with  great  delicacy  and  lightness.  A  peculiar 
ornament  called  the  ball-flower  was  used  very  extensively.  The  foliage  of  the  capitals  was  crumpled  and 
carved  more  naturally.  The  buttresses  were  niched,  and  more  elegant  general  proportions  were  adopted. 
There  appears  to  have  prevailed  during  this  period  a  school  of  art,  both  in  architecture  and  sculpture, 
which  in  beauty  of  design  and  finish  of  execution  surpassed  any  other  since  the  fall  of  the  Western 
Empire.    The  two  arts  declined  together. 

The  third  division  is  called  the  Perpendicular  or  Florid  style.  It  flourished  from  the  latter  part  of  the 
fourteenth  century  until  the  Reformation,  a  period  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  years.  The  principal 
characteristic  of  this  style  is  also  to  be  found  in  the  window.  The  arch  was  much  depressed ;  the  mullions, 
instead  of  branching  into  tracery,  were  continued  perpendicularly  upwards,  and  crossed  by  transoms. 


i 


Indeed  throughout  there  was  a  tendency  toward  vertical  lines.    There  was  also  a  great  increase  of  decora- 

5 


§£€3^y>  <^£g$@ 


18  GOTHIC  ARCHITECTURE. 

tion.  Every  part  of  the  structure,  both  inside  and  out,  was  loaded  with  rich  carving,  cut  with  great  depth, 
minuteness  and  delicacy,  but  so  abundant  as  to  give  to  the  whole  a  meretricious  effect,  and  hence  cause 
the  style  to  be  generally  considered  a  decadency.  Highly  ornamented  paneling,  fan  tracery  for  the  ceiling, 
a  horizontal  hood  mould  embracing  two  or  more  narrow  Avindows,  and  a  high  peaked  roof  elaborately 
finished,  were  all  introduced  at  this  time.  The  latter  feature  is  beautifully  exemplified  in  Westminster 
Hall ;  and  the  Chapel  of  Henry  VII.,  also  at  Westminster,  is  a  magnificent  relic  of  this  age. 

Abe 'at  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century  the  Reformation  began,  and  entirely  changed  the  current 
of  affairs.  Architecture,  among  other  things,  was  gradually  revolutionized.  It  had  been  until  now  under 
the  protection  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  the  zeal  of  whose  dependents  wras  the  cause  of  the  present 
advanced  stage  of  the  art.  With  that  liberality  which  was  practised  towards  every  thing  that  would 
advance  their  creed,  they  expended  upon  these  buildings  nearly  all  the  monastic  revenues,  private 
offerings,  and  voluntary  donations  which  poured  into  their  coffers.  The  dignitaries  of  the  church  were 
the  architects,  and  the  laity  were  the  wrorkmen  :  hence  the  great  care  and  pains  expended  upon  the  most 
minute  portions  of  these  venerable  fabrics.  Domestic  architecture  of  course  followed  the  different  styles, 
but  it  wras  in  ecclesiastic  structures  that  the  whole  art  was  concentrated,  and  its  perfection  displayed ;  nor 
was  there,  at  the  time  of  which  we  speak,  any  land  that  could  vie  with  England  in  the  number  and 
magnificence  of  these  edifices.  But  the  time  had  come  when  the  idolatry  of  superstition  was  to  give  way 
before  a  spirit  of  innovation,  which,  not  satisfied  with  the  suppression  of  monasteries,  seemed  to  retain 
even  against  the  buildings  a  prejudice  that  not  only  prompted  their  mutilation  or  destruction,  but  opposed 
itself  to  a  continuance  of  the  style.  The  revival  of  classical  architecture  in  Italy  about  this  time,  also 
had  a  considerable  effect  in  producing  what  has  been  called  the  Debased  style.  The  arch  was  more 
depressed  until  almost  flat,  ornaments  were  rejected,  even  to  plainness,  which,  together  with  an  admixture 
of  Italian  details,  entirely  changed  the  character  of  the  buildings. 

At  this  time  arose  Inigo  Jones,  the  architect  of  White  Hall  and  Surgeon's  Hall ;  also  Christopher  Wren, 
Knight,  another  learned  man  and  accomplished  architect,  wrho  designed  St.  Paul's  and  other  famous  works. 
These  two  were  impassioned  With  the  styles  then  coming  into  vogue  in  Italy,  and  labored  hard  to  repro- 
duce them  in  England,  to  the  exclusion  of  that  style  to  Avhich  Wren  contemptuously  gave  the  name 
"Gothic."  The  great  fire  of  166G  gave  the  latter  ample  opportunity  for  exercising  his  influence,  and  this 
period  may  be  considered  as  terminating  Gothic  architecture  in  England. 

On  the  continent,  the  Gothic  style  underwent  nearly  the  same  changes  that  it  experienced  in  England. 
The  Perpendicular  style,  however,  differed  in  detail  somewhat  from  the  Late  Gothic  in  Germany,  and  the 
Flamboyant  in  France,  to  which  it  corresponded  in  point  of  time.  When  the  style  became  extict  in 
England,  it  Avas  almost  simultaneously  abandoned  throughout  Europe,  and  the  Italian  has  since  been  the 
prevailing  mode. 


A    GOTHIC  COTTAGE. 


DESIGN  SECOND. 

On  Plate  VI.  is  represented  a  perspective  view  of  a  Gothic  Cottage.  It  is  in  the  Elizabethan  style,  and  possesses  that 
marked  rural  character  which  exhibits  itself  so  decidedly  in  all  such  cottages.  The  English  wish  to  claim  this  style  as 
peculiar  to  themselves,  but  they  have  no  right  to  appropriate  a  principle  which  has  existed  throughout  Europe,  and  which 
is  of  universal  application.  We  have  in  this  a  house  as  un-English  as  possible,  the  internal  arrangements  being  thoroughly 
American,  while  externally  it  is  a  truthful  exemplar  of  the  style. 

The  front  elevation  is  exhibited  on  Plate  VII.  The  design  combines  economy  with  its  tasteful  appearance ;  for  if  built 
of  brick,  and  the  specification  below  followed  in  other  respects,  it  will  cost  but  $2,800,  and  if  stone  be  substituted,  this 
will  be  reduced  to  $2,650.  These  estimates  are  carefully  calculated,  and  are  certainly  not  too  small.  Plate  VIII.  exhibits 
the  ground  plans. 

Plate  IX.  consists  of  details.  Fig.  1>  a  verandah  post  with  a  section  through  the  cornice.  Fig.  2,  crocket  course  to 
the  preceding.    Fig.  3,  a  post  and  cornice  of  the  entrance  porch.    Fig.  4,  inside  door.    Fig.  5,  a  chimney-can. 

Plate  X.  also  consists  of  details.  Fig.  1,  shows  a  window  with  outside  dressings.  Fig.  2,  section  of  inside  dressings. 
Fig.  3,  cornice.  Fig.  4,  base.  Fig.  5,  section  of  a  window  frame.  Fig.  G,  finial.  Fig.  7,  section  through  a  conservatory 
post  and  sash. 

Further  remarks  are  unnecessary,  all  other  important  points  being  explained  by  the  following 

SPECIFICATION 

Of  the  workmanship  and  materials  to  be  used  in  the  erection  of  Design  Second. 

GENERAL  DIMENSIONS.— The  main  building  is  to  be  twenty  by  thirty-five  feet.  Entrance  hall  is  to  be  fourteen  by 
fifteen  feet.  The  conservatory  is  to  be  eleven  by  twelve  feet.  The  rear  building  is  to  be  seventeen  by  twenty-five  feet. 
The  whole  is  to  be  two  stories  high;  the  first  story  twelve  feet  to  the  top  of  the  second  floor,  the  second  story  ten  feet  in 
the  clear,  and  the  roof  is  to  have  fifteen  feet  pitch. 

ROOMS. — The  first  floor  is  to  contain  a  drawing  room,  library,  dining  room,  hall  and  kitchen.  The  second  story  is  to 
contain  five  chambers,  the  entry  and  bath  room.    There  are  also  to  be  two  rooms  in  the  loft  of  the  main  building. 

EXCAVATION. — There  is  to  be,  beneath  the  entire  extent  of  the  building,  an  excavation  five  feet  below  the  yard 
pavement.  The  earth  therefrom  is  to  be  graded  around  the  building  to  the  under  side  of  the  water-table,  and  the  surplus 
earth  to  be  removed  to  such  parts  of  the  grounds  as  may  be  directed. 

STONE  WORK. — All  cellar  walls  are  to  be  composed  of  quarry  building  stone  of  a  good  quality,  and  to  be  eighteen 
inches  thick  to  the  under  side  of  the  flooring  joists.  The  foundations  of  the  porch,  verandah  and  conservatory,  are  to  be 
at  least  two  fect  deep.  All  the  above  masonry  is  to  be  laid  in  the  best  mortar,  made  from  good  coarse  sharp  sand  and 
wood  burnt  lime.    All  the  facings  of  the  walls  are  to  be  smooth-dashed  and  white-washed. 

BRICK  WORK. — All  outside  walls,  and  the  division  walls  between  the  two  buildings,  are  to  be  of  coarse  hard  brick, 
and  to  be  ten  inches  thick,  with  a  hollow  space  in  the  centre.  All  flues  are  to  be  well  pargettcd,  and  topped  out  above 
the  roof  at  its  apex,  finished  with  an  ornamental  chimney-can,  as  on  the  elevation.  Also  a  brick  furnace  chamber  is  to  be 
built  in  the  cellar,  of  a  capacity  sufficient  for  the  reception  of  Chilson's  No.  4  furnace. 

JOISTS,  &c. — The  floor  joists  of  the  first  story  throughout,  and  of  the  second  story  in  the  main  building,  are  to  be 
three  by  twelve  inches.  Those  over  the  dining  room,  kitchen,  and  the  second  story  main  building,  are  to  be  three  by 
ten  inches.  The  ceiling  joists  are  to  be  three  by  five  inches.  All  are  to  be  well  backed,  lattice  bridged,  and  placed 
sixteen  inches  between  centres.  The  rafters  are  to  be  three  by  eight  inch  rafter  cuts,  placed  two  feet  between  centres. 
The  ridge  piece  is  to  be  three  by  twelve  inches,  and  the  wall  plate  three  by  ten  inches.    All  the  above  timber  must  be 

19 


20  A    GOTHIC  COTTAGE. 

good  sound  seasoned  hemlock.  All  stud  partitions  are  to  be  formed  of  three  by  four  inch  scantling  firmly  nailed,  and 
placed  sixteen  inches  between  centres ;  door  studs  are  to  be  three  by  six  inches. 

STAIRS. — The  main  stairs  in  the  hall  are  to  be  formed  of  one  inch  and  a  quarter  heart  step  boards,  put  together  on 
strong  carriages.  The  newels  are  to  be  black  walnut,  seven  inches  square  at  the  base,  with  an  octagon  shaft,  the  rail 
of  the  same  material  and  moulded,  the  balusters  of  the  same,  one  inch  and  three  quarters  square  at  the  base,  with  a  turned 
shaft.    The  private  stairs  are  to  be  continued  from  the  cellar  to  the  main  loft,  and  put  up  as  is  usual  for  such  stairs. 

WINDOWS. — All  sash  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  half  thick,  hung  to  casement  frames  with  suitable  butts,  and  secured 
by  plate  flush  bolts  at  top  and  bottom.    The  glass  are  all  to  be  diamond  shape,  except  those  of  the  kitchen. 

DOORS. — The  main  entrance  door  is  to  be  two  inches  thick,  having  five  panels  sunk  with  mouldings,  and  hung  with 
four  by  four  inch  butts,  and  secured  by  an  upright  mortice  lock  with  night  key.  The  room  doors  of  the  first  and  second 
stories  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  half  thick,  with  mouldings  on  both  sides,  hung  with  three  by  three  inch  butts,  and  secured 
by  a  four  inch  mortice  lock.  All  other  doors  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  quarter  thick,  hung  with  three  by  three  inch  butts, 
and  secured  by  locks  where  necessary. 

DRESSINGS. — The  window  and  door  dressings  are  to  be  put  on  as  exhibited  in  the  detail  drawings,  except  the 
kitchen  and  loft,  which  will  be  plain.  The  wash-board  of  the  first  story  main  building  is  to  be  eight  inches  wide,  with  a 
two  and  a  half  inch  sub,  and  moulding  as  referred  to  in  the  description  of  plates.  The  dining  room  and  second  story 
main  building  are  to  have  the  same  without  the  sub,  all  others  but  six  inches  wide.  The  cornice  and  ornaments  are  to  be 
as  shown  on  the  detail  drawings.  The  verandah,  porch  and  conservatory  are  to  be  constructed  as  shown  on  the  elevation, 
plan  and  detail  drawings.  All  roofs  are  to  be  sheathed  with  seasoned  boards  for  slating.  All  lumber  is  to  be  of  the  best 
quality,  and  the  carpenter's  work  is  to  be  executed  in  a  good  and  workmanlike  manner. 

ROOFING. — The  roof  is  to  be  overlaid  with  the  best  Susquehanna  slate,  seven  by  fourteen  inches,  laid  diamond  shape, 
and  secured  by  four-penny  galvanized  nails.  All  necessary  tin  for  the  valleys,  ridge  and  hips  is  to  be  of  a  good  quality, 
and  painted  slate  colour. 

PLASTERING. — All  walls  and  ceilings  are  to  have  two  coats  of  brown  mortar,  and  one  of  white.  The  parlor,  hall 
and  library  are  to  have  a  cornice  in  the  angle  of  the  ceiling  to  girt  twelve  inches.  A  centre  flower  in  the  parlor  is  to  be 
three  feet  diameter,  and  one  in  the  hall  two  feet  six  inches,  such  as  the  owner  may  approve. 

PAINTING  AND  GLAZING. — All  interior  wood  work  is  to  receive  three  coats  of  pure  white  lead  paint,  mixed  with 
the  best  linseed  oil.  The  exterior  is  to  receive  four  coats  of  paint,  and  sanded  in  the  best  manner.  The  glass  of  the  first 
story  main  building  and  dining  room  is  to  be  of  the  best  quality  American  manufacture,  the  rest  to  be  second  quality.  All 
must  be  well  bradded,  bedded  and  back  puttied. 

HARDWARE. — All  hardware  necessary  to  make  the  building  complete  in  every  part,  is  to  be  of  a  good  and  approved 
quality.    The  knobs  in  the  main  building  are  to  be  of  white  porcelain.    All  others  are  to  be  mineral. 

FINALLY. — All  the  work  is  to  be  executed  in  a  good  and  workmanlike  manner,  after  the  detail  and  other  drawings, 
and  according  to  the  general  intent  and  meaning  of  this  specification. 


©.©THIS©  SBWK^o 

Scale  I  en  feil  lo  the  inch 


Devi <j  n    1 1. 


PI  X/ 


Scale  to  door  only.  *,'4inch  to  a  foot 


Scale,  one  foot  to  the  inch 


P  S  Duval  s  sle»in  Mtli  prtss  PKil" 


DEBASED  GOTHIC. 


HIS  style  has  already  been  referred  to  as  that  which  prevailed  in  England  during  the 
century  immediately  succeeding  the  commencement  of  the  Reformation.  The  terms  Tudor 
and  Elizabethan,  have  each  been  used  in  reference  to  different  stages  of  its  development, 
ers  on  the  subject  have  always  disagreed,  both  in  dates  and  as  to  the  respective  charao 
of  the  two.  In  using  the  word  Debased,  we  follow  Bloxam,  than  whom  no  one  is  more 
w  thoroughly  versed  in  all  that  appertains  to  Gothic  architecture.  The  term  must  not  be  understood 
in  a  bad  sense,  as  depreciating  the  style,  but  simply  as  referring  to  the  fact,  that  during  the  time 
mentioned,  i.  e.,  from  the  last  of  the  Perpendicular  style  until  the  total  extinction  of  this  species  of 
architecture,  there  was  a  constant  change  being  wrought  in  the  principles  of  the  general  style,  and  a 
rejection  of  that  abundance  of  exterior  ornament  which  had  previously  prevailed. 

At  this  time,  more  attention  was  given  to  domestic  architecture  than  had  been  hitherto.  Through- 
out Old  England  the  nobles  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  the  erection  of  large  and  magnificent 
Manor  houses.  The  splendid  reign  of  Elizabeth  most  encouraged  this,  and  the  decorations  from  with- 
out were  apparently  transferred  to  the  interior,  which  was  indeed  carefully  and  gorgeously  ornamented. 
Speaking  of  these  buildings,  Captain  Grose,  in  his  Antiquities  of  England,  says: — "They  have  a  style 
peculiar  to  themselves,  both  in  form  and  finishing ;  where,  though  much  of  the  old  Gothic  is  retained, 
and  a  great  part  of  the  new  taste  adopted,  yet  neither  predominates ;  while  both  thus  distinctly  blended 
compose  a  fantastic  species,  hardly  reducible  to  any  class  or  name."  In  fact,  this  style  is  far  better 
adapted  to  domestic  purposes  than  any  of  those  in  the  same  class  which  preceded  it.  Pure  Gothic 
architecture  is  admirably  fitted  for  ecclesiastical  purposes,  but  not  for  much  else ;  yet  when  it  was  shorn 
to  some  extent  of  its  long  vertical  lines,  its  high  pointed  windows,  and  of  its  elaborate  and  expensive 
details,  then  the  irregularity  of  its  outline,  the  flexibility  of  its  principles,  together  with  the  addition  of 
Italian  features,  gave  it  all  that  was  desirable  for  a  private  mansion. 

The  Debased  style  is  principally  characterized  by  its  comparative  plainness.  The  Tudor  arch,  as  i+ 
is  called,  is  much  used.  It  is  described  from  four  centres,  and  is  more  depressed  than  its  prede- 
cessors ;  so  much  so,  that  in  some  instances  it  is  cut  in  a  single  stone,  and  this  placed  over  the  opening 
like  a  lintel.  Indeed,  even  this  afterwards  ceased  to  be  practised,  and  although  some  of  the  circumadja- 
cent  details  were  retained,  yet  there  was  no  appearance  whatever  of  an  arch.    This  finish  was  generally 

confined  to  windows,  and  the  Roman  arched  doorway  used.     The  windows,  however,  especially  in  the 

6  21 


DEBASED  GOTHIC. 

earlier  stages,  were  most  frequently  composed  of  three  or  more  openings,  with  either  trefoil  or  plain 
pointed  heads,  covered  by  a  horizontal  hood-mould.  The  octagonal  bay-window,  which  was  first 
introduced  in  the  Perpendicular  style,  was  now  made  semicircular.  Buttresses  entirely  disappeared, 
embattlements  were  freely  used,  and  also  porches.  The  Italian  campanile  and  verandah  were  frequent  in 
private  houses,  and  in  heavier  edifices  Grecian  columns  were  not  uncommon.  One  after  another,  the 
different  Gothic  features  were  rejected,  until  all  trace  of  them  was  lost. 

It  is  not  proper  to  regard  the  Debased  as  a  style  altogether  pure ;  nevertheless,  we  must  not  therefore 
condemn  it  entirely,  for  there  have  been  designs  from  it  which,  in  grace,  elegance  and  finished  deco- 
ration, are  unsurpassed. 


A    GOTHIC  VILLA. 
DESIGN  THIRD. 

This  design,  as  well  as  the  one  preceding  it,  is  in  the  Debased  Gothic  style.  Design  second  is  the  earlier  of  the  two, 
and  exhibits  many  features  strongly  Gothic.  The  Tudor  flower  running  along  the  apex  of  the  high  pointed  roof,  the  finial 
over  the  gables,  some  of  the  windows,  the  door,  and  the  porch  are  all  decidedly  so,  and  indeed  throughout  it  is  much  more 
an  "Elizabethan"  building  than  design  third.  In  the  latter,  the  square-headed  windows  and  the  tower,  which  is  Italian 
although  finished  with  a  battlemented  parapet,  show  at  once  that  it  prevailed  subsequent  to  the  other.  It  has  nevertheless 
retained  the  Tudor  flower,  the  finial,  the  steep  roof,  and  the  Gothic  doorway,  forming  a  most  elegant  and  picturesque 
building.  There  is  little  rural  character  about  the  design.  It  would  never  do  for  a  farm  house,  but  is  evidently  fitted 
for  the  retiring  citizen.    This  fact  at  once  suggests  its  locale,  and  the  style  in  which  the  grounds  should  be  ornamented. 

The  side  and  front  elevations  are  given  on  Plates  XII.  and  XIII.,  exhibiting  the  constructive  features  of  the  building  in 
accurate  proportion.  It  is  doubtless  oftentimes  the  case  that  a  person,  wishing  to  build,  may  be  much  pleased,  on  the  whole,  with 
one  of  our  designs,  and  would  adopt  it  were  it  not  for  some  minor  feature  either  in  the  plan  or  style  of  the  house  unsuited  to 
his  peculiar  tastes  and  wants.  Alterations,  such  as  he  would  wish,  may  frequently  be  made  without  injuring  the  general 
appearance  or  the  plan ;  but  great  care  must  be  exercised  in  so  doing,  for  they  may  create  an  inconsistency  in  the  style, 
which  would  afterwards  be  regretted,  or  they  may,  from  some  little  oversight,  so  affect  the  plan  as  to  render  it 
impracticable.  The  best  way  in  such  a  case,  undoubtedly,  is  to  consult  the  architect,  and  then  no  difficulty  can  obtain.  We 
will,  however,  from  time  to  time,  mention  some  such  changes  as  may  be  made  consistently.  In  this  design  little  can  be 
done ;  yet,  perhaps,  a  porch  might  be  used  over  the  front  entrance  and  the  conservatory  omitted.  The  Tudor  arch, 
mentioned  above,  may  be  seen  over  the  front  door. 

Plate  XIV.  shows  the  plans  of  the  first  and  second  stories.  By  these  we  see  that  the  building  will  readily  accommodate 
a  family  of  eight  or  ten  persons,  servants  included,  at  the  same  time  giving  ample  space  for  hall,  parlor,  spare  chamber, 


\ 


 _  .  

SPECIFICATION.  23 
0     library,  &c,  &c.    We  cannot  omit  the  opportunity  of  calling  attention  to  the  elegant  library  herein  designed.    Any  one 
accustomed  to  the  wants  and  frequent  inconveniences  of  private  libraries  will  be  struck  at  a  glance  with  the  peculiar  fitness 
of  this  apartment  for  that  purpose. 

Plate  XVI.  Comprises  the  details.  Fig.  1,  a  section  of  the  tower  wall.  Fig.  2,  a  spandrel  for  the  front  door.  Fig.  3, 
face  of  the  tower.  Fig.  4,  principal  cornice  and  section.  Fig.  5,  design  for  a  conservatory  window.  Fig.  6,  Tudor 
flower  to  be  placed  on  the  ridge  piece.  Fig.  7,  finial.  Fig.  8,  buttress  for  the  entrance  door.  Fig.  9,  hood-mould  for 
the  windows.    Fig.  10,  cornice  and  blocking  of  the  conservatory. 

SPECIFICATION 

Of  the  workmanship  and  materials  required  in  the  erection  of  Design  Third. 

DIMENSIONS. — The  building  is  to  be  forty  feet  nine  inches  in  front,  measuring  through  the  tower,  by  fifty-seven  feet 
six  inches  flank.  It  is  to  be  two  stories  high,  the  divisions  and  heights  of  the  stories  being  made  according  to  the  elevations 
and  plans.  There  are  to  be  three  garret  rooms,  and  a  room  in  the  tower  upon  the  same  level.  The  tower  is  to  be  four 
stories  high. 

EXCAVATION. — The  collar  is  to  be  throughout  the  entire  extent  of  the  building  eight  feet  deep  below  the  top  of  the 
first  or  principal  floor.  The  foundations  of  the  Avails  are  all  to  be  at  least  six  feet  deep  below  the  cellar  floor.  The  earth 
therefrom  is  to  be  graded  around  the  building  as  the  proprietor  may  direct  when  the  building  shall  have  been  completed, 
and  all  surplus  soil  and  refuse  material  is  to  be  removed  from  the  grounds. 

MASONRY. — All  the  outside  walls  of  the  building  are  to  be  composed  of  quarry  building  stone  of  a  good  quality. 
The  foundations  are  all  to  be  laid  with  large  flat  stone,  well  and  solidly  bedded  in  mortar.  The  walls  are  to  be  two  feet 
thick  to  the  height  of  the  principal  floor,  and  from  thence  to  the  square  of  the  building  they  are  to  be  one  foot  four  inches 
thick.  The  gable  ends  and  facings  of  the  dormer  windows  are  to  be  one  foot  two  inches  thick.  The  walls  of  the  tower 
are  to  be  two  feet  thick  from  the  foundations  to  the  sill  course  of  the  third  story  windows,  thence  twenty  inches  thick  to 
the  sill  course  of  the  fourth  story  windows,  and  from  thence  sixteen  inches  thick  to  the  square.  The  cellar  doorway  under  one 
of  the  kitchen  windows  is  to  be  walled  on  either  side  with  fourteen  inch  walls  to  the  line  of  the  yard  pavement.  All  the 
masonry  is  to  be  done  with  mortar  composed  of  good  coarse  sharp  sand  and  wood-burnt  lime,  in  such  proportions  as  will  secure 
the  best  and  strongest  cement.  The  inner  facings  of  the  Avails  are  to  be  well  dashed  with  the  same  mortai-j  and  those  of 
the  cellar  to  be  afterwards  whitewashed. 

Of  the  dressed  stone  there  is  to  be  a  sill  platform,  and  one  step  to  the  front  entrance ;  also,  a  sill  to  the  kitchen  door,  the 
sizes  of  which  are  exhibited  on  the  plans.  A  moulded  water  table,  eight  inches  thick  and  of  six  inches  projection,  is  to  be 
built  in  the  wall  around  the  building.  The  above  is  to  be  Connecticut  brown  stone,  of  a  good  quality,  dressed  and  set  in  the 
best  manner. 

BRICK  WORK. — There  is  to  be  built  in  the  cellar  a  case  of  nine  inch  walls  and  of  sufficient  capacity  for  the  reception 
of  a  furnace  suitable  to  warm  the  whole  building,  all  flues  arc  to  be  properly  formed  for  the  heated  air  and  gas,  and  placed 
as  exhibited  upon  the  plans  and  as  may  be  directed  by  the  proprietor. 

JOISTS,  &c. — The  joists  of  the  first  floor  are  to  be  three  by  twelve  inch  spruce,  of  a  good  quality.  Those  of  the  second 
story  are  to  be  three  by  twelve  inch  hemlock ;  the  third  tiers  to  be  three  by  nine  inch  hemlock.  All  are  to  placed  sixteen 
inches  between  centres,  to  be  backed  and  to  have  one  course  of  bridging  through  the  centre.  All  trimmers  for  the  flues 
and  stairs  must  be  double  thickness.  The  collar  beams  are  to  be  one  and  a  half  by  eight  inches,  firmly  nailed  to  the  rafters, 
about  eight  feet  above  the  joists.  The  rafters  are  to  be  eight  inches  at  the  foot,  of  the  usual  rafter  cut,  and  placed  two 
feet  between  centres.    The  cornices  are  to  be  as  exhibited  on  the  plate. 

WINDOWS. — All  windows  throughout  the  building  are  to  be  in  accordance  with  the  plates.  The  sash  of  the  first  and 
second  stories  are  to  be  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick  and  double  hung.  The  sash  of  the  lofts  and  of  the  third  and 
fourth  stories  in  the  tower,  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  half  thick,  and  double  hung  with  plastered  jambs.  The  sills  are  all  to 
be  heart  pine,  and  the  sub  sills  to  be  iron.  The  windows  are  all  to  have  moulded  heads.  The  inside  shutters  of  the  first 
and  second  stories  are  to  be  made  in  two  folds  with  paneled  backs  and  elbow  jambs.  They  are  also  to  be  one  inch  thick, 
four  panels  high,  moulded,  hung  and  secured  in  the  best  manner. 

DOORS. — The  front  doors  are  to  be  folding,  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick,  with  moulded  panels  on  the  face,  bead 
and  butt  on  the  inside,  hung  with  four  by  four  best  butt  hinges,  and  secured  by  two  iron  plate  flush  bolts,  the  one  at  the 
^)     top  being  at  least  three  feet  long.    It  is  to  be  further  secured  by  one  eight  inch  mortice  upright  lock,  with  a  night  key  n 
nd    which  will  also  open  the  vestibule  door    The  vestibule  door  is  also  to  be  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick,  double  faced  ^ 

O^c^  <K^&gs& 


24 


A  GOTniC  VILLA. 


with  moulding,  hung  with  four  by  four  inch  best  butts  and  secured  by  a  vestibule  lock.  The  doors  communicating  between 
the  parlor,  sitting  room,  and  dining  room  arc  to  be  folding,  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick,  and  double  faced  with 
moulding.  All  other  doors  in  the  first  and  second  stories  are  to  be  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick,  hung  with  suitable 
butts,  and  double  faced.  The  doors  above  the  second  story,  and  all  closet  doors,  are  to  be  hung  with  suitable  butts  and 
secured  by  such  fastenings  as  the  proprietor  may  approve. 

STAIRS. — The  main  stairs,  extending  to  the  second  story,  are  to  be  put  up  in  the  best  manner.  The  steps  are  to  be 
one  inch  and  a  quarter  heart  step  boards,  of  the  best  quality,  supported  on  three  strong  carriages.  The  rail  is  to  be  four 
inch  moulded,  the  newel  eight  inch  with  a  turned  cap  and  base,  and  an  octagon  shaft,  and  the  balusters  one  and  three 
quarter  inch  turned;  all  of  which  is  to  be  mahogany.  The  private  stairs  leading  from  the  kitchen  and  from  the  second 
story  to  the  loft,  and  the  stairs  in  the  tower,  are  to  be  enclosed  and  made  of  heart  step  boards,  in  the  best  manner.  The 
cellar  stairs  are  to  be  beneath  the  private  stairs. 

INSIDE  DRESSINGS. — The  washboards  in  the  first  story  are  to  be  twelve  inches  high  including  a  two  and  a  half  inch 
sub  nailed  firmly  to  the  floor,  and  a  one  and  a  half  inch  moulding  on  the  top.  The  washboards  in  the  second  story  are  to 
have  a  smilar  finish,  but  only  ten  inches  in  height.  Those  of  the  closets,  kitchen  and  loft  are  to  be  four  and  a  half  inches 
wide  with  a  one  and  a  half  inch  moulding  on  the  top. 

The  window  and  door  dressings,  in  the  first  story,  are  to  be  seven  inches  wide  and  in  accordance  with  the  plates.  Those 
of  the  second  story  are  to  be  five  inches  wide,  and  also  according  to  the  plates.  Those  of  the  loft  and  the  third  and  fourth 
stories  in  the  tower  are  all  to  be  champhered  on  the  angles  of  the  jambs. 

CLOSETS. — All  the  closets  throughout  the  building  must  be  fitted  up  and  fully  shelved,  and  a  dresser  in  the  kitchen  is 
to  be  finished  in  such  a  manner  as  the  proprietor  may  direct. 

PARTITIONS. — All  the  divisions  in  the  building  are  to  be  stud  partitions.  The  studs  being  three  by  four  inches, 
except  those  next  the  doors,  which  are  to  be  three  by  six  inches.    All  are  to  be  placed  sixteen  inches  between  centres. 

CONSERVATORY. — The  conservatory  is  to  be  enclosed  by  diamond  sash  with  Gothic  heads,  as  figured  on  the  plate, 
double  hung  by  patent  cord  and  axle  pullies.    The  roof  is  to  be  flat. 

PLASTERING. — All  walls  and  ceilings  within  the  building  are  to  have  two  coats  of  brown  mortar  and  one  of  white. 
The  hall,  parlor,  sitting-room,  and  dining-room  are  to  have  a  cornice  in  the  angle  of  the  ceiling  to  girt  fourteen  inches; 
also,  a  centre  flower  in  the  hall  and  parlor  three  feet  six  inches  in  diameter,  of  an  approved  pattern.  The  mortar  is  to  be 
composed  of  river  sand  and  wood-burnt  lime  in  such  proportions  as  are  best.    All  laths  are  to  be  free  from  bark. 

ROUGH-CASTING. — All  exterior  walls  are  to  be  coated  with  the  best  mortar,  put  on  in  a  workmanlike  manner,  divided 
in  imitation  of  blocks,  and  finished  with  approved  tints. 

SLATING.— The  roof  of  the  main  building  is  to  be  overlaid  with  the  best  purple  Welsh  slate,  laid  in  four  courses  of 
diamond  and  four  courses  of  square  pattern  alternately,  and  fastened  with  fourpenny  nails  previously  boiled  in 
linseed  oil. 

PAINTLNG  AND  GLAZING. — All  wood-work  inside  and.  out  that  it  is  usual  to  paint,  must  have  three  coats  of  pure 
white-lead  paint,  mixed  with  good  linseed  oil,  and  of  such  tints  as  may  be  directed. 

The  glass  is  to  be  of  the  best  quality  of  American  manufacture.  It  is  to  be  well  bedded,  bradded,  and  back-puttied. 
That  of  the  conservatory  is  to  be  stained  in  such  patterns  as  may  be  selected,  the  cost  not  exceeding  sixty  dollars. 

TIN  WORK. — The  conservatory  roof  and  that  of  the  tower  and  entrance  porch,  are  all  "to  be  overlaid  with  the  best  one- 
cross  roofing  tin,  painted  on  both  sides,  the  upper  having  two  coats.  All  valleys,  ridges,  flushings,  and  gutters  are  to  be 
tin  of  the  same  quality,  and  all  necessary  gutters  and  conductors  to  convey  the  water  from  the  roof,  are  to  be  put  up  in 
a  proper  manner. 

HARDWARE. — All  the  hardware  is  to  be  of  a  good  quality.  The  locks  are  all  to  be  of  American  manufacture. 
There  is  to  be  a  bell  for  the  front  door  with  a  large  sized  plated  pull,  also  five  other  bells  in  such  parts  of  the  house  as  may 
be  directed.    All  other  hardware  necessary  to  make  the  building  complete  is  to  be  furnished. 

MANTELS. — There  are  to  be  mantels  in  the  parlor,  sitting-room,  and  dining-room,  the  cost  of  which  shall  not  be  less 
than  ninety  dollars.  There  are  to  be  two  in  the  principal  chambers  of  the  second  story,  the  cost  of  which  shall  not  be  less 
than  forty  dollars. 

RANGE  AND  FURNACE. — The  kitchen  is  to  be  furnished  with  a  medium-sized  range  of  the  most  improved  kind. 
The  furnace  is  to  be  Chilson's  No.  3,  with  all  the  necessary  dampers,  registers,  and  tin  flues  sufficient  to  warm  all  the  first 
and  second  stories.    The  registers  are  to  be  of  an  approved  pattern  and  enameled. 

FINALLY. — The  contractor  is  to  furnish,  at  his  own  cost,  all  material  and  workmanship  necessary  to  erect,  and 
complete  this  building,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  proprietor,  according  to  the  elevations,  plans,  and  details,  and  the  general 
intent  and  meaning  of  this  specification. 


PI  XII 


I 


V 


Desit/rv  ///. 


PlXIV 


FIRST  STORY 


Scale  10  fl  to  the  inch 


©IE® ©MSB)  IP  IE.  A 


Design^  IK 


PI.  XV. 


Porch 


Hall. 


Hall. 


Porch 


Roof. 


Balcony 


Roof 


P.  S.  D.v.l  I  Slc.m  liU  P,0..PK,|.d' 


FIRST  STORY.  SECOND  STORY. 

Scale  10  fl  to  the  mch. 
■IS  TO /7ft  ffff       Trft     TOff    /A  ^re 


ESTIMATE 


OF  THE  COST  IN  THE  ERECTION  OF  DESIGN  THIRD. 


We  give  below  a  list,  with  the  prices  annexed,  of  all  the  materials  required  for  the  erection  of  design  third.  The  sums 
mentioned  comprise  not  only  the  cost  of  the  material  but  also  the  cost  of  the  work  required  for  preparing,  placing,  and 
finishing  the  same.  Thus  against  the  item  Brick,  we  have  placed  $10.50  per  M.,  which  amount  includes  all  other  material  and 
all  work  required  in  laying,  i.  e.,  $10.00  per  1000  "in  the  wall."  All  carpenter's  and  joiner's  work,  however,  ia 
included  under  the  head  Workmanship,  except  the  doors,  windows,  &c,  which  are  generally  made  by  machinery. 

The  prices  are  those  which  prevail  in  and  near  Philadelphia,  but  variations  at  other  places  may  readily  be  substituted. 

Window  Frames,  *) 
Inside  Shutters,  V 
and  Sash,  ) 

Window  Frames  \ 
and  Sash,  / 

Workmanship, 
Tining, 
Hardware, 

Furnace  and  Registers, 
Mantels, 

Painting  and  Glazing, 
Stained  Glass, 


Excavation,   300  yds. 

@ 

20  cts.  per  yd.  $ 

60. 

00 

Stone,         600  perches 

@ 

$2.00  per  perch, 

1200 

00 

Pressed  Stone, 

120 

20 

Rough  Casting,   743  yds. 

@ 

40  cts.  per  yd 

297 

00 

Plastering,        1900  " 

a 

20  "     "  " 

380 

00 

Slating,            2400  ft. 

a 

12J"     «  ft. 

300. 

00 

Joists,             4560  " 

"  $12.50  per  M. 

57 

00 

Rafters,            2280  " 

« 

a        cc  a 

28 

50 

Scantling,         5000  " 

a 

12.50  "  " 

62 

50 

Flooring,          6000  " 

a 

30.00  "  " 

180 

00 

Roof  sheathing,  2500  " 

a 

12.00  "  " 

30 

00 

Assorted  Lumber,  11000  ft. 

ti 

25.00  per  " 

275 

00 

Brick,           18000  ft. 

u 

10.00  «  " 

180 

00 

Doors,  19,  If  in.  thick, 

a 

4.25  each, 

80 

75 

Doors,  24,  l£  «  " 

a 

2.25  each, 

54 

00 

$3304.95 

21 


@  $16.00  each,  $544.00 


7.00  each,  147.00 

-  675.26 

-  200.00 

-  475.00 

-  125.00 

-  130.00 

-  430.00 

-  60.00 


$3304.95       Total  cost  of  the  building, 


2786.25 
3304.95 

$6091.20 


TABLE  OF  GLASS. 


We  are  induced  to  insert  here  a  table  in  order  to  obviate  the  difficulties  which  so  often  occur  in  purchasing  glass 
for  buildings.  In  ordering  glass  the  purchaser  knows  the  size  and  the  number  of  lights  to  be  used,  but  is  at  loss  as 
to  the  number  of  boxes  required.  Every  box  contains  fifty  superficial  feet  of  glass ;  hence  by  reference  to  the  table  the 
number  of  boxes  required  is  readily  ascertained. 

NUMBER  OF   LIGHTS  TO  THE  100  FEET. 


Sizes. 

6  by 

7  by 

8  by 
8  by 

8  by 

9  by 
9  by 
9  by 
9  by 
9  by 
9  by 

10  by 
10  by 
10  by 
10  by 
10  by 
10  by 
10  by 

10  by 

11  by 


9 
10 
11 
12 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
16 
10 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
li 
11 


Lights. 

300 
229 
180 
164 
150 
160 
146 
138 
123 
114 
100 
144 
120 
111 
103 
96 
90 
85 
80 
119 


Sizes. 

11  by 
11  by 
11  by 
11  by 
11  by 
11  by 

11  by 

12  by 
12  by 
12  by 
12  by 
12  by 
12  by 
12  by 
12  by 
12  by 
12  by 
12  by 
12  by 
12  by 


12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 


Lights. 

109 
101 

94 

87 

82 

77 

73 
100 

92 

86 

80 

75 

71 

67 

63 

60 

57 

55 

52 

50 


Sizes. 

13  by 
13  by 
13  by 
13  by 
13  by 
13  by 
13  by 
13  by 
13  by 

13  by 

14  by 
14  by 
14  by 
14  by 
14  by 
14  by 
14  by 
14  by 
14  by 
14  by 


14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
24 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
24 


Lights. 

79 
74 
69 
65 
61 
58 
55 
53 
50 
46 
73 
68 
64 
60 
57 
54 
51 
49 
47 
43 
7 


Sizes. 


15  by 
15  by 
15  by 
15  by 
15  by 
15  by 

15  by 

16  by 
16  by 
16  by 
16  by 
16  by 
16  by 

16  by 

17  by 
17  by 
17  by 
17  by 
17  by 


15 
16 
18 
20 
21 
22 
24 
16 
17 
18 
20 
21 
22 
24 
17 
18 
20 
22 
24 


Lights. 

64 
60 
53 
48 
46 
44 
40 
56 
53 
50 
45 
43 
41 
38 
50 
47 
42 
38 
35 


Sizes. 

18  bv 
18  by 
18  by 

18  by 

19  by 
19  by 
19  by 

19  by 

20  by 
20  by 
20  by 
20  by 
20  by 

20  by 

21  by 

22  by 
22  by 
22  by 
24  by 


li 
20 
22 
24 
19 
20 
22 
24 
20 
22 
24 
25 
26 
28 
27 
24 
26 
28 
28 


Lights. 

44 
40 
36 
33 
40 
38 
34 
32 
36 
33 
30 
29 
28 
26 
25 
27 
25 
23 
21 


Sizes. 


24  bv 

24  by 

25  by 

26  by 
28  by 

30  by 

31  bv 
31  by 

31  by 

32  by 
32  by 
83  by 
34  by 
30  bv 

32  by 

33  by 
3G  by 
38  by 
40  by 


30 
32 
30 
36 
34 
40 
36 
40 
42 
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i 


LOCATION. 


'N  the  succeeding  portions  of  this  work,  it  is  our  especial  purpose  to  furnish  such  a  series  of 
designs  as  will  gratify  all  fancies,  and  illustrate  the  best  styles;  and  at  the  same  time  to  demon- 
strate that,  in  domestic  architecture,  good  taste  and  every  refined  elegance  are  generally  to  be 
found  in  union  with  comfort  and  moderate  expenditure.    But  it  must  not  be  forgotten,  that  the 
peculiar  charm  of  this  species  of  architecture  consists  in  giving  expression  to  Nature,  and  in  har- 
monizing the  abodes  of  man  with  those  characters  of  natural  beauty  and  repose,  and  sometimes  of 
grandeur,  which  the  arbitrary  and  restrained  conditions  of  city  life  do  not  permit. 

It  is  from  oversight  in  this  particular  that  Ave  meet  with  so  many  instances  in  the  vicinity  of  our  large 
cities,  of  architectural  combinations,  pleasing  in  themselves  both  as  to  form  and  color,  but  made  deformities 
by  being  brought  into  violent  contrast  with  their  opposites  in  nature.  We  do  not  look  for  the  Swiss  cottage 
against  the  fiat  horizon  of  a  prairie  land,  nor  among  the  high  Alps  for  the  casemented  villa  of  southern 
France  or  Italy.  However  simple  or  picturesque,  however  full  of  grandeur  or  quiet  repose  the  landscape, 
its  crowning  feature  ought  ever  to  be  the  structure,  whether  humble  or  stately,  that  denotes  the  habitation 
of  man.  Both  should  be  in  complete  harmony  and  adaptation ;  for  hill-side  and  plain,  grove  and  river 
bank,  each  and  all  convey  a  meaning  which  can  never  be  disregarded  without  a  sacrifice  of  architectural 
taste,  of  propriety,  and  generally  of  comfort.  Every  day's  observation  reminds  us  that  these  suggestions, 
however  obvious,  are  too  often  overlooked,  and  we  should  therefore  fall  short  of  our  chief  design  in  this 
publication,  if  we  did  not,  from  time  to  time,  offer  a  few  pertinent  hints  on  the  different  localities,  both  in 
our  vicinity,  and  in  other  sections  of  our  diversified  country. 

There  are  many  such  around  and  near  our  own  city,  which  properly  call  our  attention  first;  and  which 
in  natural  beauty  and  advantages,  as  well  as  in  rapid  improvement,  may  fairly  challenge  the  most  favored 
spots  in  other  vicinages.  The  growing  number  of  country  residences  in  and  near  such  places  as  Florence, 
Keverton,  and  Germantown,  is  a  pleasing  indication  of  the  progress  of  public  taste  in  this  region;  or, 
to  come  nearer  home,  our  charming  suburban  neighbor  Hamilton  Village  affords  a  fine  instance  of  natural 
beauty  graced,  not  banished  by  art.  By  some  good  fortune  or  better  Providence  it  has  enjoyed  an  almost 
entire  exemption  from  those  invasions  of  brick  and  mortar  which  have  so  sadly  disfigured  the  fair  country 
in  most  directions  around  our  city.  Its  daily  chimes  are  mingled  with  those  which  measure  our  busy  hours 
and  ring  our  city  alarms ;  and  though  literally  "  within  the  sound  of  Bow-Bells,"  we  know  of  no  country 

village  within  a  hundred  miles  of  us,  which  contains  so  much  of  rural  loveliness  and  repose,  and  exhibits 

26 


3g 


£p  LOCATION.,  27 

<j|  in  its  prevailing  features  so  little  cockneyism.  These  are  the  spots  that  in  their  style  of  architecture  and 
its  accesiiiries  more  truly  attest  the  progress  of  refinement  and  culture,  than  the  most  lavish  expenditure 
upon  city  mansions. 

The  grand  object  of  this  series  is  to  furnish  designs  and  practical  suggestions  on  the  erection  and  location 
of  rural  and  suburban  residences;  and  thereby  promote  the  tasteful  growth  of  such  places,  in  the  environs 
of  our  cities,  as  have  been  named;  it  being  the  only  effectual  means  of  setting  limits  to  a  style  of  building 
which,  if  extended  much  further  under  the  spur  of  speculation,  will  in  a  few  years  banish  natural  scenery 
to  points  accessible  only  by  the  steamboat  or  railroad. 


A    DOUBLE  COTTAGE. 
DESIGN  FOURTH. 


This  is  a  simple  design  suited  either  for  a  village  or  suburban  dwelling.  It  is  intended  for  small  families  who  desire  to 
live  plainly  but  comfortably.  The  fact  of  its  being  double  may  give  rise  to  an  objection  with  some,  but  it  certainly  has 
advantages,  which  a  practical  man  cannot  overlook.  With  the  same  expense  a  much  more  comfortable  and  handsome 
building  may  be  erected  on  this  plan,  than  if  each  were  designed  separately ;  for  there  is  certainly  leas  work  and  less  material 
required,  and  hence  a  difference  in  cost.  Besides  this,  it  is  in  most  cases  far  from  being  unpleasant  to  have  agreeable 
neighbors  within  ear-shot,  more  especially  if  they  are  another  branch  of  the  same  family.  But  these  are  old  sayings, 
for  the  thousand  double  buildings  in  every  direction  prove  that  there  are  others  who  think  as  we  do. 

Plate  XVII.  gives  the  front  elevation  of  the  design.  The  upper  story  wall  of  the  gable  front  sets  back  within  twelve 
inches  of  the  main  wall,  as  is  exhibited  on  the  plans,  thus  making  a  balcony  over  the  vestibules,  surrounded  by  an  iron 
railing.  This  balcony  might  be  made  to  extend  over  the  front  porches.  The  main  entrance  door  is  at  the  end  of  the 
porch  opening  into  vestibules  in  the  gable  front.  All  the  outside  walls  and  the  main  division  wall  are  to  be  built  of  quarry 
building  stone,  and  those  outside  are  to  be  faced  with  rubble  work,  ridge-pointed.  All  other  divisions  are  to  be  stud 
partitions.    The  flues  are  brick.    The  main  roof  is  of  slate ;  those  of  the  front  porches  and  bay  windows  of  tin. 

The  plans  of  the  first  and  second  stories  will  be  found  on  Plate  XV.  They  show  that  each  of  the  dwellings  will 
accommodate  a  family  of  four  or  six  persons.  There  are  also  two  commodious  garret  rooms  in  the  design,  which  do  not 
appear  upon  the  plans.  The  back  chambers,  it  will  be  seen,  are  several  steps  below  the  floor  of  the  second  story  main 
building ;  hence  the  roof  of  this  part  is  lower  than  the  main  roof.  If  it  were  desired  to  extend  this  plan,  there  might  be 
a  basement  kitchen  under  the  back-room,  which  would  then  be  used  for  a  dining  room.  A  back  verandah  also  might  be 
placed  in  an  angle  of  the  kitchen  and  parlor  walls. 

We  give  no  plate  of  details  in  connexion  with  this  design,  because,  being  plain  and  simple,  they  may  be  readily  taken 
from  the  elevation.    Nor  was  it  deemed  necessary  to  prepare  a  specification.    Any  contractor  with  our  spociGcations  of  |^ 
/  D    other  buildings  and  the  descriptions  herein  contained  before  him,  can  easily  write  out  a  complete  specification  for  this. 




 ■  

28  DOUBLE  COTTAGE. 

The  cost  of  this  cottage  in  this  vicinity,  where  stone  can  be  procured  and  delivered  for  a  dollar  a  perch,  built  according 
to  the  plates  and  general  description,  with  a  cellar  throughout  its  entire  extent,  and  finished  handsomely  in  al^  parts  not 
described,  will  be  about  $2200.00,  or  $1100.00  for  each  dwelling.  If  brick,  at  sis  dollars  a  thousand,  be  substituted  for 
stone,  and  rough-cast,  it  will  increase  the  cost  about  $200.00  on  the  whole. 


ITALIAN  RESIDENCES. 
DESIGN  FIFTH. 

This  building  is  designed  for  suburban  residences.  It  is  in  the  Italian  style  which  prevails  so  extensively  in  our  cities. 
The  general  appearance  of  it  displays  finely  that  half-town  and  half-country  expression  so  essential  to  handsome  suburban 
dwellings.  The  main  entrance  appears  beneath  the  side  porches  on  the  front  elevation  Plate  XVIII.  The  bay  windows  on 
front,  and  observatory,  are  highly  ornamental  features,  and  could  not  be  omitted  without  doing  violence  to  the  tasteful 
appearance  of  the  building. 

The  plans  of  the  first  and  second  stories  are  exhibited  on  Plate  XIX.  Each  dwelling  will  accommodate  a  family  of  eight 
or  ten  persons.    A  very  convenient  back  porch  might  be  placed  in  the  angle  of  the  dining-room  and  kitchen  walls. 

Plate  XX.  consists  of  details.  Fig.  1,  bracket  and  cornice  of  the  main  roof.  Fig.  2,  cornice  of  side  porches.  Fig.  3, 
cornice  of  the  bay  windows.  Fig.  4,  base  of  the  bay  windows.  Fig.  5,  bracket  and  cornice  of  the  observatory.  Fig.  6, 
posts  and  bracket  of  the  side  porches.    Fig.  7,  corbel  of  the  second  story  windows. 

We  give  no  specification  under  this  design  for  similar  reasons  to  those  given  in  the  previous  article,  but  we  annex  a 
general  description,  by  the  aid  of  which,  a  specification  may  readily  be  prepared. 

The  entire  extent  of  the  front,  including  the  wings,  is  forty-two  feet.  That  of  the  side  is  forty-eight  feet.  The  building 
is  two  and  a  half  stories  high ;  the  first  story  being  twelve  feet  eight  inches  to  the  top  of  the  second  floor ;  the  second  story 
being  eleven  feet  four  inches  to  top  of  the  third  floor ;  and  the  half  story  being  eight  feet  in  the  clear.  The  main  roof  is 
to  pitch  four  feet.  The  observatory  is  fifteen  feet  square  and  eight  feet  high  in  the  clear.  The  cellar,  throughout  the  entire 
extent  of  the  building,  is  to  be  six  feet  six  inches  deep.  The  dimensions  of  the  different  apartments  may  be  taken  from 
the  plans.  The  outside  walls  are  of  stone  covered  with  mastic,  which  is  divided  into  blocks  and  tinted  to  represent  brown 
stone.  The  angles  of  the  front  projection  have  quoins  of  Connecticut  brown  stone  with  the  edges  bevelled,  and  a  water 
table  of  the  same  is  built  around  in  the  wall.  The  windows  are  all  casemented,  and  have  inside  shutters  to  the  first  and 
second  stories,  in  two  folds  to  each  jamb,  and  are  hung  with  the  usual  back  flaps.  The  outside  and  principal  room  doors 
of  the  first  and  second  story,  are  one  and  three-fouths  of  an  inch  thick  with  two  and  a  half  inch  mouldings  and  fillets. 
All  other  doors  are  one  inch  and  a  quarter  thick  and  moulded  on  one  side.  All  glass,  in  the  first  story  front  and  sides,  is 
the  best  American  crown  glass,  the  rest  may  be  of  an  inferior  quality.  The  roof  is  overlaid  with  the  best  quality  of 
leaded  tin.    The  wood  of  the  interior  has  three  coats  of  paint.    The  exterior  has  four  coats  and  is  sanded. 

The  cost  of  the  whole  building  will  be  between  $2400.00  and  $2800.00  if  erected  in  accordance  with  the  elevation, 
plans,  details,  and  the  above  general  description. 


Pl.XVIf. 


PI.X7X. 


FIRST  STORY.  Scale  10  f Ho  the  inch  SECOND  STORY. 

©SOTO®  JPSLAHB. 


Design  V.  Pi. XX. 


Scale  1  inch  iii  ihe  foot . 


J'  S  DuvjU  Stum  Iit.li  IVew  Ptulw  ' 


ITALIAN  ARCHITECTURE. 


HE  Goths  who  inundated  Italy  and  swept  away  the  last  vestiges  of  Konaan  strength,  sought 

also  to  destroy  and  obliterate  all  remaining  traces  of  the  grandeur,  pomp,  and  refinement  of 

the  empire,  as  exhibited  in  its  mighty  works.    Magnificent  temples  and  palaces  were  razed 

to  the  ground,  and  the  greater  the  work,  the  more  sure  was  it  of  destruction.    But  these  "architects 

of  ruin"  could  not  annihilate.  "  The  rude  heaps  that  had  been  cities,  clad  the  ground  with  history,"  and 

have  been  the  eager  study  of  all  succeeding  ages.     When  the  state  of  society  became  somewhat 

more  calm,  the  materials  of  these  structures,  which  lay  in  vast  confusion,  formed,  so  to  speak,  artificial 

quarries,  from  which  new  cities  were  built.    It  is  easy  to  imagine  what  incongruous  combinations  must 

consequently  have  arisen.    The  different  orders  were  mixed,  and  highly  sculptured  ornaments  were  placed 

in  close  connection  with  coarse,  rough  work;  and  hence  the  manner  of  building  at  this  time  cannot  justly 

claim  to  be  a  style  in  architecture.    But  this  could  not  long  exist  among  a  people  of  whom  natural  good 

taste  is  a  characteristic,  and  accordingly  we  find  many  buildings  of  an  early  date  that  commanded  the 

admiration  of  Michael  Angelo. 

The  present  national  style  cannot  be  said  to  have  existed  earlier  than  the  fifteenth  century.    At  this 

time  the  writings  of  Vitruvius,  having  been  discovered  in  manuscript,  were  published,  and  thoroughly 

studied.    He  was  a  Roman  architect,  who  flourished  under  the  reign  of  Augustus,  and  wrote  his  work  about 

the  time  of  the  Christian  era.  It  contains  a  complete  and  excellent,  but  oftentimes  obscure  account  of  both 

Grecian  and  Roman  architecture.    To  this  we  are  indebted  for  the  most  of  our  knowledge  of  the  art  in 

ancient  times,  and  for  the  great  change  which  has  been  wrought  in  it  throughout  the  enlightened  world. 

Brunellcschi  was  one  of  the  first  who  studied  so  enthusiastically  this  work  and  the  relics  of  past  ages.  He 

remained  in  Rome  a  long  time,  measuring  and  minutely  examining  her  noble  remains,  and  did  much  to 

restore  the  knowledge  of  the  art  and  diffuse  a  taste  more  correct.    In  the  year  1407,  he  offered  to  the 

assembly  of  architects  and  engineers,  at  Florence,  his  design  for  the  erection  of  a  dome  on  the  cathedral  of 

St.  Maria  del  Fiore,  and  was  hissed  from  the  hall  for  his  pains.    He  subsequently,  however,  was  appointed 

as  the  architect,  and  the  design  was  completed.    Other  domes  were  erected  in  every  direction,  until 

that  of  St.  Peter's,  by  Michael  Angelo,  set  all  competition  at  defiance.    Between  these  two  great  men  there 

flourished  many  architects,  composing  the  "  Cinquecento  School,"  all  of  whom  labored  with  a  devotion  and 

zeal  that  speedily  perfected  the  art.    It  may  be  well  remarked,  that  these  men  were  not  only  architects, 

5    but  sculptors,  painters,  musicians,  and  even  poets.    They  seem  to  have  studied  the  fine  arts  en  masse,  and 

a  29 


30  ITALIAN  ARCHITECTURE. 

many  mastered  them  all.  Their  refined  taste  is  yet  reflected  from  Italian  architecture,  for  since  then 
there  has  been  little  or  no  change  in  the  principles  of  the  style,  variations  occurring  only  in  details. 

Alberti,  one  of  these  architects  of  the  fifteenth  century,  wrote  a  work  on  the  subject,  which  was  after- 
wards followed  by  the  works  of  Serlio  and  Palladio,  all  of  which  were,  upon  their  publication,  translated 
into  French,  German,  Dutch,  and  English.  As  a  result  of  this,  a  radical  change  soon  began  to  show  itself 
throughout  Europe.  In  England  the  suppression  of  monasteries  had  prepared  the  way,  and  there  were 
several  architects  who  labored  for  the  introduction  of  the  new  style.  Inigo  Jones,  though  not  the  first, 
was  one  of  the  greatest  reformers.  He  spent  some  years  in  Italy,  studying  under  the  patronage  of  the 
Earl  of  Pembroke,  and  was  afterwards  appointed  Royal  Architect.  The  illustrious  Sir  Christopher  Wren, 
who  has  been  called  the  greatest  of  all  architects,  completed  the  change,  which  may  be  regarded  as  estab- 
lished throughout  the  cities  not  only  of  England,  but  of  all  Europe,  soon  after  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth 
century.    It  has  since  universally  prevailed. 

The  deep  veneration  which  has  always  existed  for  antiquity,  would  certainly  cause  the  moderns  to 
imitate  in  every  particular  the  ancient  models,  were  it  possible ;  but  these  models,  though  specimens  of 
exalted  taste,  and  suited  to  their  times,  are  utterly  inadequate  to  supply  our  wants,  and  illy  accord  with 
our  customs.  In  public  buildings  we  sometimes  see  them  reproduced  with  a  creditable  finish  and  seem- 
ing appropriateness,  but  for  domestic  purposes  they  are  altogether  insufficient.  The  arts  of  construction 
too,  are  much  improved,  and  give  us  great  advantages.  In  unwearied  patient  labor,  careful  finish  and 
tasteful  skill,  the  ancients  are  unsurpassed,  but  in  manual  dexterity,  tools,  machinery,  and  adaptation  of 
material,  we  excel.  Among  other  things,  the  introduction  of  glass  has  made  a  great  difference.  The 
excavations  at  Pompeii  prove  that  it  was  used  latterly,  to  some  extent,  by  the  Romans,  but  Ave  know  that 
Nero  gave  avast  sum  for  a  pair  of  drinking  glasses;  hence  it  could  not  have  been  used  as  a  material 
for  windows  to  any  great  extent.  Its  place  was  supplied  by  thin  canvass,  or  a  highly  transparent  mineral, 
which  they  called  speculum.  After  the  art  of  manufacturing  glass  became  better  known,  it  gave  the  win- 
dow, unlike  its  former  position,  a  prominent  place  in  architectural  designs. 

Setting  aside,  however,  these  minor  differences,  it  is  utterly  impracticable  for  the  moderns  to  build 
on  the  magnificent  scale  which  the  Roman  style  demands.  Among  that  people,  every  villa  was  a  palace, 
built  from  the  extorted  revenues  of  large  provinces,  and  on  one  of  their  public  edifices  an  amount  was 
expended  that  would  build  for  us  a  handsome  city.  In  short,  the  construction  of  society  is,  ever  since 
has  been,  and  we  hope  ever  will  be,  totally  different.  The  Italian  architects  followed  as  nearly  as  possible 
the  footsteps  of  antiquity,  but  for  these  reasons  they  varied  considerably  from  the  standard.  Ever  since, 
the  difference  has  been  gradually  increasing,  and  their  peculiar  combinations  being  altogether  abandoned, 
we  only  retain  general  principles  and  ornamental  details. 

Before  giving  the  characteristics  of  this  style,  it  is  well  to  mention  the  distinction  which  exists  between 
the  mode  of  building  in  the  city  and  in  the  country.    Exterior  architectural  ornaments  in  the  city  are 


ITALIAN   ARCHITECTURE.  31 

generally  confined  to  a  rectangular  front,  while  in  the  country,  where  all  sides  are  exposed,  much  more 
attention  must  be  paid  to  general  effect.  But  without  attempting  to  define  the  obvious  difference  which 
obtains  between  the  two,  we  will  confine  all  future  remarks,  as  the  nature  of  our  work  demands,  to  isolated 
buildings. 

Most  generally,  Italian  villas  have  an  irregular  outline  from  every  point  of  view.  The  predominant 
figure  is  the  rectangle,  but  many  being  introduced  and  so  disposed  as  to  break  in  upon  each  other,  the 
irregular  outline  is  formed  without  difficulty.  The  angular  effect  is  relieved  by  the  semi-circular  arch  Avhich 
is  freely  used.  Great  license  is  also  permitted  in  the  ground  plans,  thus  admitting  almost  every  possible 
arrangement  of  apartments.  This  results  probably  from  the  fact  that  the  buildings  are  generally  erected 
on  uneven  ground.  A  most  prominent  and  almost  universal  feature  is  the  square  tower,  or,  as  it  has  been 
latterly  called,  the  campanile.  Properly,  the  campanile  is  a  bell  tower,  built  nigh  a  church,  but 
detached  from  it,  as  the  leaning  tower  at  Pisa.  The  term  is  now  frequently  used  as  applied  above.  Pliny, 
in  describing  Koman  villas,  speaks  of  a  tower  which  had  in  its  upper  story  a  dining  room,  so  that  guests, 
while  gratifying  their  appetites,  might  feast  also  their  eyes  on  fine  views  around.  In  modern  times  such 
a  use  of  the  campanile  is  unknown,  but  so  universally  is  it  introduced,  that  we  look  for  it  in  every  Italian 
landscape.  It  overlooks  all  parts  of  the  house,  and  has  balconies,  and  other  ornamental  features,  which 
give  it  grace  and  finish.  The  principal  entrance  is  generally  in  its  first  story,  which  also  often  affords  a  good 
position  for  the  main  stairway.  It  differs  from  a  steeple,  or  an  ordinary  observatory,  in  having  at  least  one 
of  its  sides  visible  from  eaves  to  base.  The  roof,  both  of  the  campanile  and  main  building,  is  never  steep. 
In  Italy  it  is  generally  composed  of  tiles,  which  form  a  beautiful  and  permanent  roof.  Tin  is  used  more  with 
us,  and  is  so  arranged  as  to  have  nearly  the  same  effect.  It  has  been  stated  that  gables  do  not  occur,  but 
this  is  incorrect:  we  simply  cite  Raphael's  villa,  in  the  Borghese  Gardens.  Hip  roofs  are,  however,  com- 
mon. In  all  cases  the  eaves  are  heavy  and  projecting,  being  supported  by  brackets  and  cantalivers  of 
various  patterns.  The  chimneys  are  prominent,  and  serve  to  give  greater  variety  to  the  outline.  The 
windows  are  made  double,  or  treble,  and,  together  with  the  doors,  have  either  square  or  arched  beads,  ac- 
cording to  the  importance  of  their  position.  Bay-windows  are  frequent.  All  window  and  door  dressings 
are  made  very  heavy,  and,  indeed,  throughout  there  is  a  tendency  rather  to  boldness  than  minute  deco- 
ration. Heavy  arcades,  porches  with  large  square  pillars,  verandahs,  balconies,  anta?,  pilasters,  quoins, 
rustic  Avork,  and  string  courses,  all  often  occur.  In,  consequence  of  the  great  abundance  and  variety  of  the 
best  material  in  Italy,  the  walls  always  present  a  finished  appearance,  accompanied  by  great  stability.  The 
best  are  built  of  dressed  stone ;  but  rough-casting  is  quite  common.  Buttresses  are  often  placed  against 
the  basement  when  it  is  high,  which  die  into  the  Avail  just  beneath  the  Avater-table. 

The  character  of  this  style  is  far  from  being  rural,  but  is  genuinely  picturesque.  The  irregularity  of  the 
ground  plans  and  vertical  outline,  and  the  great  freedom  alloAved  in  general  design,  give  considerable  room 
for  the  exercise  of  taste.    In  Italy,  the  surface  of  the  country  is  greatly  diversified  by  hills  and  valleys, 


 -^g^C) 

32  ITALIAN    A-  R.  C  II I  T  E  C  T  U  11  E .  q 

and  advantage  is  taken  of  this  in  erecting  the  villas  so  as  to  command  landscapes.  The  brow  of  a  steep 
hill  is  a  frequent  location,  and  adds  much  to  the  fine,  bold  effect  of  the  buildings.  In  such  situations, 
terraces  are  much  used.  The  style  is,  however,  by  no  means  incompatible  with  a  level  country,  but  in  that 
case  the  design  is  more  regular  and  symmetrical.  The  adjacent  grounds  should  be  kept  in  a  finished  state. 
Statuary,  vases,  fountains,  and  other  such  accessaries  are  in  entire  accordance  with  the  style. 

Country  residences  in  the  Italian  style  are  becoming  more  and  more  popular,  both  here  and  in  the  old 
world.  Its  great  pliability  of  design,  its  facile  adaptation  to  our  wants  and  habits,  together  with  its  finished, 
elegant,  and  picturesque  appearance,  give  it  precedence  over  every  other.  It  speaks  of  the  inhabitant  as 
a  man  of  wealth,  who  wishes  in  a  quiet  way  to  enjoy  his  wealth.  It  speaks  of  him  as  a  person  of 
educated  and  refined  tastes,  who  can  appreciate  the  beautiful  both  in  art  and  nature ;  who,  accustomed  to 
all  the  ease  and  luxury  of  a  city  life,  is  now  enjoying  the  more  pure  and  elevating  pleasures  of  the  country. 


AN    ITALIAN  VILLA. 
DESIGN  SI^TH. 

This  presents  another  Villa  in  the  Italian  style,  quite  regular  and  symmetrical  in  plan,  and  therefore  best  adapted  to  a 
level  situation.    The  whole  appearance  of  the  building  is  broad,  heavy  and  spreading.    If  desirable,  this  expression  may  be 
added  to  by  making  the  eaves  of  the  tower,  house  and  verandah,  still  more  projecting.    In  its  details,  it  presents  many 
features  referred  to  in  the  preceding  article ;  but,  although  true  to  its  origin,  it  is  not  an  elaborate  specimen  of  the  style.  ■ 
It  was  designed  rather  as  a  family  mansion,  and  we  are  convinced  will  make  a  complete,  comfortable  dwelling. 

Plate  XXI.,  the  Perspective  View,  explains  our  meaning.  The  broad  verandah  encircling  the  house  is  a  graceful  and 
convenient,  though  expensive  appendage.  It  would  be  more  highly  appreciated  in  a  warmer  climate  than  this,  but  even 
here  our  hot  summers  make  it  grateful.  Comfortable  summer  residences  are  never  without  a  verandah.  Plate  XXII.  is  a 
front  elevation  of  the  same  building. 

Plate  XXIII.  exhibits  the  floor  plans.  The  house  will  accommodate  a  family  of  ten,  servants  included.  The  part  of  the 
verandah  in  the  rear  may  be  omitted,  and  a  back  porch  be  placed  in  the  angle  formed  by  the  kitchen  wall  and  end  of  the 
hall.  The  flues  from  the  chambers  on  the  right  are  to  be  overdrawn  so  as  to  meet  and  issue  from  the  roof  at  a  point  cor- 
responding to  the  one  on  the  other  side. 

Plate  XXIV.  consists  of  details.    Fig.  1  is  a  front  view  of  the  Balcony.    Fig.  2,  side  riew  of  the  same.    Fig.  3,  bracket 
and  section  of  tower  cornice.    Fig.  4,  verandah  post.    Fig.  5,  front  door.    Fig.  6,  bracket  and  section  of  main  cornice. 

The  main  walls  are  of  brick,  rough-cast  and  laid  off  in  blocks.  The  foundations  are,  however,  of  quarry  building  stone,  as 
high  as  the  joists  of  the  first  floor.  This  includes  the  foundations  of  the  verandah,  as  high  as  the  base  course;  from  thence 
brick  to  the  floor.  -The  sill  course  around  the  tower,  the  base  course,  the  outside  door  sills,  and  the  front  steps,  are  all  of 
dressed  stone.    The  main  division  walls  on  either  side  of  the  hall  are  of  brick  as  high  as  the  joists  of  the  second  story.  g\ 


X 


m 


S 


0) 


CO 
O 
C^3 


AN    ITALIAN     VILLA.  33 

All  others  are  stud  partitions.  The  house  is  designed  to  be  warmed  by  a  furnace ;  and  for  its  reception  a  case,  six  by 
eight  feet,  with  double  walls  of  single  thickness,  four  inches  apart,  is  built  of  hard  brick  in  the  cellar. 

The  outside  doors  are  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick,  the  inside  room  doors  are  an  inch  and  a  half  thick,  double-faced, 
and  the  closet  doors  are  an  inch  thick,  single-faced.  The  stairs  are  of  heart  pine  boards,  on  three  strong  carriages ; 
the  rail  and  newel  are  of  mahogany,  and  the  balusters  are  of  maple  turned. 

The  plastering  is  executed  in  the  best  manner,  with  handsome  cornices  in  the  dining  room,  drawing  room,  hall  and 
parlor.    The  drawing  room  has  two  centre  flowers,  the  hall  and  parlor  one  each. 

The  roofs  are  entirely  of  tin.    The  central  part  of  that  over  the  main  building  is  flat.    All  the  flues  are  cased  with  tin. 

The  remainder  of  the  building,  in  its  details,  is  entirely  similar  to  Design  First,  and  hence  requires  neither  further 
description  nor  specification.    An  estimate  is  given  below,  which  furnishes  all  other  necessary  information. 


ESTIMATE 
OF  THE  COST  IN  THE  ERECTION  OF  DESIGN  SIXTH. 


The  following  bill  of  items  is  prepared  on  the  same  plan  as  the  preceding. 


Excavation,  350  yds.  @  20  cts.  per  yd.  - 
Stone,  75  perches  @  $2.00  per  perch, 
Dressed  Stone,  ----- 
Brick,  130,000  @  $10.00  per  M.  - 
Rough  Casting,  670  yds.  @  40  cts.  per  yd. 
Plastering,  1800  yds.       "  20  "     "  " 


Floor  Joists, 

Ceiling  Joists, 

Rafters, 

Scantling, 

Flooring, 

Sheathing, 


4800  ft.  @  $12.50  per  M 
1500  ft.  "  "  " 
1700  ft.  "  "  " 
4500  ft.  "  "  " 
6500  ft.  "  $30.00  " 
2200  ft.  "  $12.00  " 


Assorted  Lumber,  11400  ft.  «  $25.00 
Workmanship,  .... 
Window  Frames,  and 
Sash  in  Tower, 


4  @  $20.00  each, 


$  70.00 
150.00 
175.00 
1300.00 
268.00 
360.00 
60.00 
18.75 
21.25 
56.25 
195.00 
26.40 
285.00 
600.00 

80.00 
$3665.65  i 


Window  Frames, ") 

Inside  Shutters,  V  15  @  $22.50  each, 

and  Sash,  j 
Window  Frames,  ~) 
Outside  Shutters,  Vl2  @  $15.50  " 

and  Sash,  J 
Doors,  17,  If  in.  thick,  @  $4.25  " 
Doors,  25,  1J  "     "      "  $2.75  " 
Tinning,  ----- 
Furnace  and  registers,  - 
Mantles,  8, 

Hardware,     -       -  - 
Painting  and  Glazing,  - 


337.50 


186.00 

72.25 
68.75 
675.00 
175.00 
200.00 
440.00 
400.00 

2554.50 
3665.65 

$6220.15 


9 


f ) 

) 


THE  ARCHITECT. 


1 


ESIGNING  a  bouse  is  no  easy  matter.  Such  abilities,  indeed,  are  required  to  do  it  well, 
tbat  it  has  become  a  business,  a  profession,  an  art.  Men  who  have  devoted  their  lives  to  it 
are,  notwithstanding,  continually  making  blunders ;  then  what  are  we  to  expect  from  him 
|||who  endeavors  to  build,  while  destitute  of  taste,  experience,  and  knowledge  of  construction  ?  If  those 
who  have  long  studied  and  practised  the  art  sometimes  fail,  perhaps  he  that  knows  nothing  about  it 
might  do  well  to  pause  before  he  acts  independently.  When  a  pleasing  design,  with  all  its  concomitants, 
is  found,  whose  source  is  good  authority,  it  may  be  adopted  without  hesitation ;  but  when  a  building  adapted 
to  some  peculiar  notions  is  desired,  the  only  safe  course  is  to  communicate  these  to  some  experienced 
Architect,  who  will  elaborate  them.  * 

A  good  Architect  must  possess  just  taste,  more  especially  if  he  aspire  to  any  originality.  The  existing 
models  are  so  numerous  and  so  complete  as  sometimes  to  require  but  little  tact  in  adapting  them  to  modern 
use,  but  such  servile  imitation  is  unworthy  of  an  intelligent  man,  and  of  the  genius  of  our  age.  On  the  other 
hand,  it  is  not  best  to  throw  away  entirely  the  accumulated  knowledge  and  beautiful  designs  of  the  past,  and 
start  out  nude  again  to  collect.  There  is  between  these  extremes  a  course  to  wdiich  taste  and  reason  point; 
but  to  pursue  this  course  aright  a  keen  sense  of  discrimination  is  necessary.  The  Architect  must  also 
have  been,  and  must  be,  a  hard  student  and  a  strong  original  thinker.  Not  one  whose  memory  is  over- 
loaded with  facts,  but  to  whom  every  fact  has  added  strength ;  whose  mind  is  expanded  by  each,  and  does 
not  again  contract,  if  he  chance  to  forget  it.  Such  an  one  may  throw  off  the  shackles  of  the  past,  and  yet 
feel  its  influence.    In  his  hands  the  art  will  advance,  but  with  others  it  either  stands  still  or  retrogrades. 

But  there  is  a  vast  fund  of  practical  knowledge  required.  The  Architect  must  have  a  thorough  appre- 
ciation of  the  wants  of  society.  He  must  be  well  versed  in  all  the  arts  of  construction.  There  is  no 
necessity  for  him  to  possess  manual  dexterity,  but  he  must  be  a  good  judge  of  masonry,  carpentry,  and 
their  kindred.  He  must  be  acquainted  with  all  the  varieties  of  the  best  material,  and  their  prices,  together 
with  the  prices  of  all  kinds  of  labor.  He  must  also  be  familiar  with  all  modern  improvements  which  add 
to  the  comforts  of  living. 

This  is  a  mere  glance  at  the  proper  attainments  of  an  Architect.  It  was  said  of  Wren,  that,  "  since  the 
time  of  Archimedes,  there  scarcely  ever  has  met,  in  one  man,  in  so  great  a  perfection,  such  a  mechanical 
hand  and  so  philosophical  a  mind."  Besides  possessing  an  eminently  practical  character,  he  was  named 
by  Newton  first  among  the  great  geometricians  of  the  age. 

34 


THE    ARCHITECT.  35 

When  the  projector  has  communicated  his  wishes  to  an  Architect,  the  first  step  taken  is  to  form  the 
ground  plan  of  the  design.  For  a  small  one  story  house  this  is  easy,  but  when  there  are  several  stories 
they  must  be  made  to  correspond.  The  arrangements  for  heating,  ventilation,  and  the  admission  of  light, 
also  create  difficulties.  After  these  have  been  successfully  overcome,  the  next  thing  is  to  adopt  a  style. 
In  doing  this,  both  the  peculiarities  of  the  plan,  the  locality,  and  the  purpose  of  the  building,  have  to  be 
taken  into  consideration.  Then  the  elevation  must  be  sketched.  Much  taste  and  knowledge  are  required 
in  this.  All  the  general  features  and  minute  decorations  must  be  carefully  designed  and  arranged,  so  as  at 
once  to  be  true  to  the  style,  and  form  a  graceful,  well  proportioned  whole.  He  finally  prepares  a  specifica- 
tion and  bill  of  the  cost  of  each  thing  concerned  in  the  building,  the  sum  of  which  gives  the  general  esti- 
mate. From  now  until  the  completion  of  the  building  he  holds  himself  in  readiness  to  give  any  information 
to  the  contractor,  and  acts  as  a  referee  between  him  and  the  proprietor.  From  time  to  time  during  its 
progress,  he  gives,  on  examination,  certificates  to  the  contractor  of  the  completion  of  certain  parts  of  the 
work  according  to  contract,  without  which  the  latter  cannot  properly  draw  upon  the  owner.  This  is 
the  usual  arrangement.  The  Architect's  bill  is  proportioned  to  the  cost  of  the  building,  generally  about 
three  per  cent,  on  the  whole. 

There  is  one  abuse  in  particular  to  which  the  Architect  is  subject,  and  that  is,  after  a  design  has  passed 
from  his  hands,  the  projector  sometimes  makes  changes  in  it  without  his  consent,  and  even  without  con- 
sulting him.  Luckily  this  self-conceited  ignorance  is  often  punished  by  the  result.  An  intelligent  man 
will  employ  an  Architect  who  is  his  superior  in  matters  connected  with  building,  and  having  done  so,  will 
always  deferentially  advise  with  him  upon  any  changes  or  additions  he  may  wish  to  make.  Besides 
regarding  his  own  good  in  this,  he  remembers  that  an  observer  of  a  handsome  building  as  often  asks  the 
name  of  the  Architect  as  he  does  that  of  the  owner,  and  if  there  is  any  thing  bad  in  the  design,  the  Archi- 
tect gets  the  credit  of  it.  He  will  avoid,  therefore,  doing  any  thing  which  may  materially  injure  the  other 
in  reputation  and  business. 


A  W    ELIZABETHAN  VILLA. 
DESIGN  SEVENTH. 

This  Villa  is  in  the  style  which  we  have  technically  termed  Debased  Gothic.  "We  have  however  subscribed  it  Eliza- 
bethan, because  it  is  more  popularly  understood  as  such.  It  corresponds  to  the  old  manor-houses  erected  during  Elizabeth  s 
reign,  many  of  which  are  yet  extant.  This  is  more  regular  than  most  of  the  originals,  the  plan  being  rectangular,  but  the 
convenience  and  compactness  of  it  are  thereby  promoted. 

Plate  XXV.  gives  the  general  appearance  of  the  building  in  perspective.    Plate  XXVI.  is  the  front  elevation,  drawn  in 


f 


36  AN    ELIZABETHAN  VILLA. 

correct  proportion  to  a  scale  of  ten  feet  to  the  inch.  The  battlemcnted  verandah  and  conservatory,  the  bay-windows,  and 
the  finials,  give  it  a  pleasing  appearance  to  lovers  of  the  unique.  Hammer-dressed  stone  would  be  the  most  appropriate, 
but  an  expensive  material  for  the  outside  walls. 

PLATE  XXVII.  exhibits  the  floor  plans.  The  house  will  accommodate  a  family  of  six  or  eight  persons.  It  is  large 
and  roomy,  giving  ample  space  for  a  family  of  this  size,  and  might  comfortably  receive  a  larger  one. 

Plate  XXVIII.  consists  of  details.  Fig.  1,  verandah  cornice  and  posts.  Fig.  2,  enlarged  section  of  the  verandah 
cornice.  Fig.  3,  section  of  the  cornice  of  the  building.  Fig.  4,  finial.  Fig.  5,  front-door.  Fig.  6,  chimney-can.  Fig.  7, 
horizontal  section  of  the  bay-windows.    Fig.  8,  section  of  the  sill  of  the  bay-windows. 

We  give  no  specification  for  this  design,  but  annex  a  general  description,  which  occupies  less  room,  and  is  sufficient  for 
all  practical  purposes.  Many  things  will  be  mentioned  which  do  not  belong  essentially  to  the  design,  but  which  must  be 
stated,  in  order  that  the  building  may  be  clearly  understood,  and  an  estimate  of  its  cost  correctly  made. 

The  front  is  forty-four  feet,  and  the  side  thirty-six  feet  in  extent.  Beside  the  two  stories  there  are  attic  rooms,  and  a 
cellar,  which  is  eight  feet  deep  below  the  first  floor.  The  trenches  for  the  walls  and  piers  in  the  cellar  must  be  at  least 
six  inches  deep,  and  those  for  the  foundation  of  the  verandah  and  conservatory  two  feet  six  inches  deep. 

The  walls  in  the  cellar,  up  to  the  joists  of  the  first  floor,  and  the  foundation  walls  of  the  conservatory  and  verandah,  are 
all  of  good  quarry  building  stone,  well  laid  in  the  best  mortar.  All  other  walls  are  of  brick.  Those  of  the  first  story  are 
thirteen  inches  thick,  and  those  of  the  second  nine  inches,  both  with  a  hollow  space  in  the  centre,  two  inches  wide,  and 
bonded  at  every  seventh  course  by  alternate  headers.  All  flues  are  of  brick,  and  overdrawn  where  necessary,  to  the  peak 
of  the  roof.    The  mortar  for  all  the  work  is  to  be  composed  of  the  best  fresh  lime  and  clean  river  sand. 

The  joists  of  the  first  story  are  three  by  twelve  inch  spruce,  those  of  the  second  three  by  eleven  inches,  and  those  of  the 
attic  three  by  ten  inches;  the  two  last  are  hemlock,  and  all  are  placed  sixteen  inches  between  centres,  backed  and  herring- 
bone bridged.  The  rafters  are  three  by  five  inches,  and  placed  two  feet  between  centres.  The  studs  for  partitions  are  all 
three  by  four  inches,  except  those  next  the  doors,  which  are  three  by  six  inches.  The  inner  floors  are  all  of  Carolina  heart 
pine,  one  inch  thick.  That  of  the  verandah  is  of  white  pine  boards,  one  inch  and  a  quarter  thick,  four  inches  wide,  tongued 
and  grooved,  and  laid  Avitli  white  lead  in  the  joints.  There  are  four  twin  windows  in  the  rear,  corresponding  to  the 
front  bay-windows.  The  others  are  single.  All  are  to  have  panneled  inside  shutters.  The  sash  arc  diamond,  one  inch 
and  three  quarters  thick,  and  hung  as  casements.  The  front  doors  are  two  yiehes  thick.  All  room  doors  are  one  inch 
and  three  quarters  thick,  and  double-faced.  The  closet  doors  are  one  inch  and  a  quarter  thick,  and  single-faced.  The 
washboard  of  the  hall,  parlor  and  dining  room,  is  eight  inches  wide,  with  a  sub  and  moulding.  All  others  are  but  six  inches. 
The  window  and  door  dressings  are  heavy,  with  handsome  mouldings.  The  stairs  are  of  heart  pine,  on  three  strong 
carriages,  with  a  mahogany  newel  and  rail,  and  turned  maple  balusters. 

All  plastering  is  executed  in  the  best  manner,  with  handsome  cornices  and  centre  flowers  in  the  parlor,  hall  and  dining 
room.  All  the  exterior  walls  are  rough-cast,  tinted  and  laid  off  in  blocks.  All  wood  work  is  to  receive  three  coats  of  the 
best  paint.  The  glass  of  the  first  story  and  second  story  front  is  the  best  American  crown,  the  rest  may  be  inferior.  The 
roof  is  of  slate.  The  gutters,  vallies,  flats,  flushings,  verandah  and  bay-window  roofs,  are  of  the  best  one  cross  leaded  tin, 
painted  on  both  sides,  the  upper  side  receiving  two  coats.    The  hot-air  flues  are  of  the  best  two  cross  tin. 

The  cost  of  this  building  as  described,  will  be  $0250.00.    If  stone  at  a  dollar  a  perch  be  substituted,  it  will  be  $6000.00. 
(jg     If  the  conservatory  be  omitted  it  will  reduce  this  about  §500.00. 

 ^ 


17/. 


/YAJV. 


Pl.XXV/I. 


Verandah 


FIRST  STORY 


SECOND  STORY. 


Scale  10  V\  to  the  inch. 


P  S  Dvnl'f  SUim  lilh  Pr.n  PhiM  * 


ARCHITECTURAL  DRAWINGS. 


Mm|||  HE  number  of  drawings  which  are  required  by  the  builder  varies  of  course  with  the  extent 
and  finish  of  the  building.    For  the  most  simple  houses  two  are  sufficient,  a  Ground  Plan 
lfftT>35?  and  Elevation.    For  very  elaborate  buildings  many  more  of  different  kinds  are  necessary, 
mS  which  require  great  labor  and  skill  in  their  execution.    Of  these,  which  are  usually  called  working 
drawings,  the  Ground  Plans  properly  come  first.    They  consist  of  the  plans  not  only  of  the  ground 
floor,  but  of  the  different  stories,  attic  and  cellar,  and  would  therefore  more  properly  be  called  floor 
plans,  though  the  other  term  has  been  sanctioned  by  custom.    Only  such  are  drawn  as  in  the  case  may  be 
necessary.    They  exhibit  the  situation  of  the  walls  and  partitions,  and  the  relative  positions  of  the  doors, 
windows,  flues,  stairs,  porches,  &c.    The  whole  being  drawn  in  accurate  proportion  to  a  scale,  usually 
laid  down  on  the  drawing  for  convenient  reference,  the  exact  dimensions  of  each  part  are  ascertained  by 
applying  the  compasses.  We  sometimes  see  introduced  into  architectural  works  Isometric  drawings.  These 
suppose  the  subject  to  be  viewed  from  above,  and  are  drawn  in  perspective.    A  horizontal  section  of  a 
building,  made  just  above  the  window  sills  is  occasionally  exhibited  in  this  way,  but  is  of  very  little  prac- 
tical value,  since  measurements  cannot  be  taken  from  it,  and  only  serves  to  inform  the  unpractised  eye. 

The  next  drawings  are  those  of  the  Elevations.    One  is  sometimes  sufficient,  but  often  four  have  to  be 
made,  one  of  each  front  of  the  building.  These  elevations  are  drawn  in  what  is  called  geometric  projection. 
Each  point  of  the  front  drawn  is  supposed  to  be  projected  perpendicularly  upon  a  vertical  plane  situated 
immediately  behind  it ;  or,  in  other  words,  the  front  is  supposed  to  be  viewed  from  an  infinite  distance  in 
which  all  the  lines  of  sight  are  parallel.    The  variations  caused  by  the  light  and  shade  are  retained,  and 
serve  to  show  the  irregularities  of  the  surface.    These  drawings  are  also  made  to  a  scale,  and  accurate 
measurements  may  be  taken  from  them.    The  general  effect,  however,  is  very  different  from  that  which 
exists  in  nature.    Two  objects  are  often  exhibited  on  the  same  elevation,  which  cannot  really  be  seen  from 
the  same  point  of  view,  and  the  more  irregular  the  design  the  greater  is  the  deviation  from  the  true 
appearance.    The  object  in  elevation  drawings  is  not  so  much  to  'present  a  view  of  the  building  as  to 
furnish  the  workman  with  a  chart  from  which  to  take  dimensions  and  ascertain  the  relative  position  of  parts. 
An  elevation  of  a  vertical  section  of  the  building  is  sometimes  drawn,  and  is  valuable  for  exhibiting 
constructive  features  and  internal  arrangements. 

The  general  appearance  of  the  building  is  sometimes  exhibited  in  a  Perspective  view.    This  drawing  is 
/     the  most  difficult  in  execution,  it  depending  on  more  complicate  geometrical  rules  than  the  others.  It 


38  ARCHITECTURAL  DRAWINGS. 

represents  the  building  exactly  as  it  appears  in  nature  from  a  given  point  of  view,  and  is  drawn  more  for 
the  information  of  the  projector  than  the  use  of  the  workman,  since  it  affords  no  measurements  whatever. 

Other  drawings  are  generally  the  details  of  different  parts  of  the  building.  These  are  on  a  large  scale, 
showing  the  manner  of  construction  and  minute  ornaments  which  cannot  be  exhibited  upon  the  general 
drawings;  such  as  the  framing  of  floors,  partitions  and  roofs,  for  the  carpenter;  sections  of  door  and 
window  frames  and  mouldings,  for  the  joiner;  the  patterns  of  the  various  iron  work,  for  the  founder; 
decorative  details  of  columns,  entablatures,  cornices,  flowers,  leaves,  scrolls,  brackets,  finials,  &c,  for  the 
carver.  These  drawings  are  either  sections  or  geometrical  projections.  They  are  more  numerous  than 
any  other,  and  are  in  constant  requisition  from  the  commencement  until  the  completion  of  the  work. 

As  has  been  said,  a  correct  and  finished  execution  of  these  working  drawings  is  a  matter  of  no  small 
difficulty.  A  good  draughtsman,  in  addition  to  a  correct  eye  and  the  readiness  attained  only  by  practice, 
must  be  thoroughly  versed  in  the  principles  of  geometric  projection,  perspective,  and  chiascuro,  or  light 
and  shade,  without  which  he  will  work  at  random  and  his  drawings  will  be  incomprehensible.  No  one 
except  the  experienced  can  conceive  how  great  a  change  may  sometimes  be  wrought  in  a  drawing  by  a 
single  line  or  a  simple  shadow.  The  greatest  care  is  requisite  that  there  may  be  no  falsity.  The  engraved 
drawings  in  this  work  illustrate  these  remarks.  No  pains  are  spared  to  make  them  correct,  and  that  a 
complete  set  may  accompany  each  design. 


AN    ITALIAN  RESIDENCE. 
DESIGN  EIGHTH. 

This  is  a  genuine  Italian  building.  Its  high  finish  gives  it  the  character  of  a  suburban  rather  than  a  country  dwelling, 
and  indeed  throughout  it  is  much  more  elaborate  than  any  preceding  design.  It  is  -without  the  frequent  campanile,  whose 
place  is  somewhat  supplied  by  the  front  pediment.    The  simplicity  of  the  outlines  is  relieved  by  the  ornamental  details. 

The  front  elevation  is  exhibited  on  Plate  XXIX.  We  will  here  make  a  reference  to  a  remark  in  the  preceding  article. 
It  may  be  observed  that  the  roof  of  the  building  in  this  elevation  is  entirely  visible,  which  takes  away  somewhat  from  the 
graceful  appearance  of  the  facade,  by  making  the  wings  appear  too  near  the  eaves  of  the  body  of  the  building.  This,  were 
the  real  building  before  us,  would  not  appear.  An  observer  would  have  to  be  at  a  considerable  distance  to  see  the  roof  at 
all.  Thus  the  remark  is  illustrated  that  an  elevation  drawing  may  give  a  very  false  idea  of  the  real  building,  and  therefore 
cannot  be  taken  as  a  criterion  in  every  respect,  but  simply  as  a  chart  for  the  workman.  This  elevation  is  drawn  to  a  scale 
of  ten  feet  to  the  inch. 

One  elevation  only  of  this  design  is  given.  That  of  the  right  wing  would  display  a  window  on  the  side  of  the  main 
entrance  hall,  with  two  immediately  above  it  in  the  second  and  third  stories.    AI30  four  single  windows  in  the  end  of  the 


AN   ITALIAN   RESIDENCE.  39 

wing ;  the  two  beneath  the  verandah  reaching  the  floor.  The  octagonal  projection  of  the  body  of  the  building  in  the  rear 
would  come  into  view  with  its  windows,  and  roof  hipped  somewhat  in  the  manner  of  the  front'  in  Design  First,  only  much 
more  flat.    The  dressings  of  this  elevation  are  more  plain  than  those  of  the  front. 

Plate  XXXI.  of  the  ground  plans  exhibits  the  octagonal  projection  mentioned.  A  verandah  encircling  this  -would  be  a 
pleasant  appendage.  The  entrance  hall  in  the  first  story  might  be  enlarged  by  continuing  the  wall,  which  separates  the 
kitchen  and  stairs,  across  the  end  of  the  dining  room.  This  would  make  the  entrance  more  free  to  the  parlor  from  the 
hall,  arid  make  the  stairway  more  open  and  airy,  besides  bringing  the  partition  immediately  below  the  one  in  the  second 
story.    The  alteration,  however,  would  diminish  the  size  of  the  dining  room,  and  alter  its  shape. 

It  would  probably  be  quite -as  convenient  to  use  the  Dining  Room  as  a  sitting  room,  the  Kitchen  as  a  dining  room  and  the 
"Wash-House  as  the  kitchen.  The  end  of  the  hall  beneath  the  turn  of  the  stairs  might  be  partitioned  off,  and  with  the  window 
and  a  door  opening  into  the  kitchen,  would  form  an  excellent  pantry.  The  door  of  the  wash-house  would  perhaps  be  more 
convenient  in  the  rear.  In  the  second  story  the  size  of  the  closet  over  the  stairs  might  be  diminished  so  as  to  avoid  the 
blank  window,  and  thus  give  additional  light  in  the  passage.  The  plan  of  the  third  story  corresponds  exactly  to  that  of  the 
second  story  main  building.  This  house  is  evidently  very  roomy.  A  family  of  ten  would  by  no  means  find  it  too  small. 
If  the  servants  be  included  in  this  number  there  will  be  apartments  for  a  library  and  spare  chamber.  1 

Plate  XXXII.  consists  of  Details.  Fig.  1  shows  the  cornice  and  brackets  of  the  wings.  Fig.  2,  section  of  the  cornice 
and  wall.  Fig.  3,  part  of  the  front  pediment.  Fig.  4,  section  of  the  same.  Fig.  5,  front  door.  Fig.  6,  crowning  orna- 
ment of  the  pediment.    Fig.  7,  front  porch.    Fig.  8,  section-of  the  same.    Fig.  9,  chimney-can. 

Plate  XXXIII.  is  also  of  Details.  Fig.  1  is  the  third  story  balcony.  Fig.  2,  section  of  the  same,  showing  the  bracket. 
Fig.  3,  second  story  windows.  Fig.  4,  first  story  windows.  Fig.  5,  section  of  the  same,  showing  the  bracket.  Fig.  6, 
newel  and  baluster  of  the  stairs.    Figs.  7  and  8,  sections  of  the  window  frames. 

The  entire  front  of  the  building,  including  the  verandah  and  wash-house,  is  sixty-six  feet.  The  depth,  measuring 
through  the  Dining  Room  and  the  porch,  is  forty-two  feet  six  inches.  The  divisions  and  their  dimensions  are*  all 
figured  on  the  floor  plans.  The  first  story  is  thirteen  feet  four  inches,  high  to  the  top  of  the  second  floor.  The  second 
story  is  twelve  feet  to  the  top  of  the  third  floor  in  the  main  building,  and  the  third  story  is  ten  feet  in  the  clear.  The 
cellar  throughout  the  entire  extent  of  the  main  building  and  wings,  is  eight  feet  deep  in  the  clear,  and  the  trenches  for 
foundations  are  at  least  eight  inches  below  the  cellar  floor,  the  earth  therefrom  being  graded  around  the  building  as  may  be 
requisite  to  embellish  the  grounds. 

The  walls  of  the  cellar,  as  high  as  the  joists  of  the  first  floor  and  the  foundations  of  the  verandah  and  wash-house, 
are  all  of  quarry  building  stone;  that  of  the  foundations  is  large  and  flat,  solidly  bedded  in  the  mortar.  The  facings 
are  all  smoothly  dashed,  and  afterwards  whitewashed.  The  mortar  for  this  masonry  is  composed  of  good  coarse  sharp 
sand  and  fresh  wood-burnt  lime.  The  outside  walls  of  the  superstructure  are  composed  of  bricks,  and  are  thirteen  inches 
thick ;  no  soft  brick  being  placed  within  four  inches  of  the  exterior  surface  of  the  walls.  The  inner  walls  of  the  main 
building  are  nine  inches  thick.  All  other  divisions  are  stud  partitions.  The  front  corners  of  the  main  building  have 
each  a  pilaster  projecting  four  inches  from  the  wall.  The  flues  are  located  as  exhibited  on  the  plate  of  plans.  Tliey 
are  well  pargetted  and  surmounted  with  tho  chimney-can  exhibited  on  the  plate  of  details.  A  case  of  brick  is  built 
in  the  cellar  for  a  furnace.  All  this  brick-work  is  done  with  good  firm  mortar.  The  bricks  of  the  exterior  are  three 
eighths  of  an  inch  distant  from  each  other,  and  the  mortar  removed  from  between  them  at  least  half  an  inch  deep. 


40  AN    ITALIAN  RESIDENCE. 

The  joists  of  the  first  floor  are  three  by  eleven  inches,  and  of  spruce  pine  throughout.  Those  of  the  second  and  third 
stories  are  of  the  same  dimensions,  of  hemlock.  Those  of  the  second  story  wings  are  three  by  ten,  and  also  of  hemlock. 
All  are  placed  sixteen  inches  between  centres,  and  have  a  course  of  bridging  through  the  middle  of  each  room.  The  studs  for 
partitions  are  three  by  four  inches,  and  are  also  placed  sixteen  inches  between  centres.  The  rafters  are  three  by  five  inches, 
and  placed  two  feet  between  centres ;  they  are  sheathed  with  quartered  and  well  seasoned  boards,  for  a  metal  covering. 

The  floors  are  all  of  one  inch  Carolina  heart  pine,  well  worked  and  well  seasoned.  The  stairs  are  put  up  on  three 
carriages,  with  one  inch  and  a  quarter  heart  step  boards,  having  one  and  three  quarter  inch  balusters,  a  newel  and  moulded 
rail,  all  of  mahogany.  The  newel,  balusters  and  brackets  are  richly  carved  as  on  the  plate  of  details.  Other  stairs  are 
in  the  usual  style ;  those  to  the  cellar  are  under  the  main  stairs,  or  may  lead  from  the  wash-house. 

The  windows  of  the  front  correspond  with  the  elevation.  Those  of  the  first  story  are  enrichod  with  terra-cotta  brackets 
and  head-piece.  Those  of  the  second  and  third  stories  all  are  arched  and  have  a  finish  like  to  those  on  the  front.  The 
windows  of  the  first  story  sides  and  rear,  and  those  of  the  verandah  reaching  the  floor,  have  square  heads,  but  are  more 
plainly  dressed  than  the  front.  They  arc  twin  or  single,  as  delineated  on  the  ground  plans.  The  sash  are  all  double,  hung 
with  axle  pullies  and  patent  cord,  and  all  of  the  first  and  second  stories  have  inside  double  shutters,  one  inch  thick,  in  two 
folds  of  two  panels  each,  with  fillets  and  mouldings.    All  glass  is  the  best  American,  well  bedded  and  back-puttied. 

The  doors  on  the  front  are  two  inches  thick,  with  fillets  and  mouldings  on  one  side  and  bead  and  butt  on  the  other.  The 
side  lights  have  inside  shutters.  The  dressings  correspond  with  the  plate.  All  the  room  doors  in  the  first  and  second 
stories  are  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick,  with  moulding  and  fillets.  Those  in  the  third  story,  and  all  closet  doors,  are 
one  inch  and  a  quarter  thick,  with  moulding  and  fillets  on  one  side.  All  the  one  and  three  quarter  inch  doors  are  hung 
with  four  by  four  inch  butts  and  secured  with  four  inch  mortice  locks.  The  front  doors  have  an  eight  inch  upright 
mortice  lock,  and  are  further  secured  with  bolts.  The  closet  doors  also  have  locks.  The  knobs  of  the  first  and  second 
stories  are  all  of  porcelain. 

The  front  porch,  verandah  and  balconies  are  all  partly  exhibited  on  the  plates  of  details.  The  floors  are  of  one 
inch  and  a  quarter  white  pine,  quartered  and  grooved,  the  joints  being  well  coated  with  white  lead.  The  whole  of  the  wood- 
work, inside  and  out,  has  three  coats  of  pure  white-lead  paint,  that  of  the  exterior  having  an  additional  coat,  tinted  and 
sanded  so  as  to  represent  stone. 

The  Avails  and  ceilings  throughout  have  two  coats  of  brown  mortar  and  one  of  white  hard  finish.  The  Parlor,  Dining 
Room  and  Hall  have  each  a  moulded  cornice  girting  twelve  inches,  with  a  centre  flower  in  the  Parlor  three  feet  six  inches 
m  diameter,  one  in  the  Dining  Room  three  feet,  and  one  in  the  Hall  two  feet  six  inches.  The  exterior  is  all  to  be  rough- 
cast in  the  very  best  manner,  tinted  and  laid  off  in  blocks. 

The  roofs  of  the  building  and  its  appendages,  all  having  concealed  gutters,  are  overlaid  with  the  best  one  cross  leaded  tin, 
well  painted  on  both  sides,  the  upper  side  receiving  two  coats.  This  tin  is  drawn  over  slats  laid  from  the  apex  of  the  roof 
to  the  eaves,  two  feet  between  centres,  as  exhibited  on  the  elevation.  There  are  four  three  inch  conductors  necessary  to 
convey  the  water  from  the  roof. 

All  the  materials  used  in  the  above  work  are  of  the  very  best  quality,  and  in  all  respects  not  herein  described  the  work 
is  executed  in  the  best  style. 

The  cost  of  this  building,  according  to  the  present  rates  of  material  and  workmanship,  would  be  about  $5,200. 


Design  VW. 


ri  a:\yx. 


Design  17/1. 


Pl.XXXI. 


2  e 


Balcony. 


SECOND  STORY. 


FIRST  STORY. 

X  1  


4,0 


SO 


Srale  10  flt<>  the  inch 


P  S  Dural  i  Steam  lith  Hr«i  PhJ.d  ' 


IBS  HAUL 


> 


A  N    ORNAMENTAL  VILLA. 


DESIGN  NINTH. 

We  present  on  Plate  XXX.  the  perspective  view  of  an  Ornamental  Villa.  The  enriched  appearance  of  this  design  i3 
due  almost  entirely  to  the  balconies,  brackets  and  other  ornaments  about  the  eaves.  The  style  of  these  is  Swiss,  and 
it  therefore  might  be  named,  a  villa  ornamented  in  the  Swiss  style.  It  has  long  been  acknowledged  that  there  is  nothing 
more  beautifully  picturesque  than  this  kind  of  decoration,  when  well  arranged.  It  has  an  elegant  and  highly  finished, 
though  it  may  be  a  somewhat  meretricious  effect.  The  building  is  evidently  not  a  rural  cottage,  nor  would  it  do  for  a  farm 
house ;  nevertheless  a  retired  situation  best  accords  with  its  expression.  This  indeed  is  characteristic  of  the  Swiss  style, 
or  any  thing  approaching  thereto,  that  it  is  best  adapted  to  a  wild  and  mountainous,  or  at  least  a  hilly  locality.  A  high 
position,  affording  a  view  of  the  building  from  the  distant  landscape,  is  always  desirable. 

There  is  one  great  objection  to  it,  however.  The  ornamental  appendages  are  expensive.  But  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the 
time  is,  or  is  coming,  when  such  near-sighted  utilitarianism  will  give  way  to  more  liberal  views  of  life,  and  that  he  who 
builds  for  himself  a  home,  will  aim  beyond  mere  physical  comfort. 

Plate  XXXIV.  presents  an  elevation  of  the  side  which  is  partially  exhibited  in  the  perspective  view.  On  this  we  have 
the  conservatory  displayed,  which  is  the  chief  ornamental  feature  of  the  elevation.  It  has  above  a  large  balcony,  approached 
from  the  second  story.  The  roof  in  both  elevations  is  so  arranged  as  to  destroy  a  monotonous  effect,  but  its  real  appear- 
ance must  not  be  judged  the  same  as  that  here  presented.  As  there  is  a  cellar  beneath  the  building,  square  windows, 
barred,  might  be  introduced  beneath  the  lower  balconies,  to  give  light  and  air. 

Plate  XXXV.  is  the  Front  Elevation.  It  is  avcII  to  observe  that  the  brackets  of  the  balconies,  those  under  the  porch 
and  the  very  projecting  eaves,  are  all  of  various  patterns  suited  to  their  positions.  Those  of  the  eaves  are  clustered  against 
each  pilaster.  The  side  porch  appears  only  on  this  elevation,  but  is  of  simple  design.  Both  of  the  elevations  are 
drawn  to  a  scale  of  twelve  feet  to  the  inch. 

On  Plate  XXXVI.  are  the  Ground  Plans.  This  house,  as  a  glance  makes  evident,  is  large,  but  not  designed  for  a 
large  family.  It  would  accommodate  six  or  seven  persons  readily,  yet,  planned  as  it  is  for  luxurious  livers,  it  would 
be  none  too  large  for  only  four  or  five.  The  Hall  receives  its  light  principally  from  the  cupola  above.  The  flues  are 
arranged  either  for  grates  or  for  a  furnace  in  the  cellar.  A  ventilating  flue  from  the  water  closets  might  be  encased 
in  the  wall.  The  side  porch  may  be  extended  to  any  desirable  length,  and  an  outside  cellar  door  made  beneath  it.  All 
the  divisions  of  the  first  story,  and  those  corresponding  in  the  second,  are  of  brick. 

Plate  XXXVII.  is  of  Details.  Fig.  1  is  the  front  porch,  balcony  and  window  above.  Fig.  2,  section  of  the  porch 
cornice.  Fig.  3,  front  balconies  and  windows  of  the  wings.  Fig.  4,  section  of  the  upper  balcony  in  fig.  3,  showing  the 
bracket.    Fig.  5,  section  of  the  lower  balcony  in  fig.  3,  showing  the  bracket. 

Plate  XXXVIII.,  also  of  Details,  shows,  in  Fig.  1,  the  crowning  and  other  ornaments  of  the  front  gable.    Fig.  2, 

section  of  the  same,  showing  the  gable  bracket.    Fig.  3,  bracket  of  the  eaves.    Fig.  4,  cupola.    Fig.  5,  section  of  the 

eame,  showing  the  exterior  and  interior  brackets.    Fig.  G,  chimney-can.    Fig.  7,  cornice,  &c,  of  the  conservatory. 

11  41 


AN     0  It  N  A  M  E  N  T  A  L 


SPECIFICATION 


VILLA. 


Of  the  workmanship  and  materials  to  be  employed  in  the  erection  of  Design  Ninth. 

EXCAVATION. — The  cellar  is  to  extend  beneath  the  entire  building,  and  be  nine  feet  deep  from  the  level  of  the  prin- 
cipal floor.  Dig  all  the  trenches  for  the  foundations  at  least  ten  inches  below  the  cellar  floor,  and  deeper  if  necessary  to 
secure  a  good  foundation.  Cut  away  and  fill  up  with  earth  around  the  building  to  the  intended  line  of  ground  level, 
ramming  the  same  quite  hard,  and  provide  for  all  necessary  drains,  cess-pools,  dwarf-walls  or  other  such  work  required  by 
the  plans,  or  directed  by  the  architect. 

MASONRY. — Construct  the  lower  walls  of  stone  as  follows, — nine  feet  ten  inches  in  height  and  twenty-two  inches 
thick,  the  foundations  of  the  divisions  eighteen  inches  thick  and  ten  inches  in  height,  and  compose  all  of  the  best  material, 
as  hereinafter  set  forth.  Flush  the  whole  in  mortar  of  the  best  approved  compound  of  sharp  sand  and  well  burnt  lime.  If 
the  material  be  of  an  absorbent  quality  the  whole  must  be  grouted  every  two  feet. 

BRICK-WORK. — All  the  exterior  walls,  from  the  level  of  the  first  floor  to  the  roof,  are  to  be  constructed  of  well  burnt 
and  approved  brick,  and  are  to  be  fourteen  and  a  half  inches  thick,  with  a  hollow  space  in  the  centre  one  inch  and  a  quarter 
broad,  the  inner  course  being  four  inches  and  one  fourth  thick,  and  those  without  being  eight  inches  and  a  half  thick.  The 
division  walls  in  the  cellar,  as  high  as  the  first  floor,  must  also  be  of  sound  and  well  constructed  brick-work,  thirteen  inches 
thick,  corresponding  in  position  to  the  divisions  in  the  plan  of  the  first  story.  All  openings  in  these  walls  are  to  be  arched. 
The  principal  divisions  of  the  first  and  second  stories,  corresponding  with  the  plans,  are  to  be  of  brick-work  nine  inches 
thick.  All  flues,  for  thoroughly  warming  and  ventilating  the  building,  are  to  be  placed  as  on  the  plans  and  as  may  be 
directed  during  the  progress  of  the  work.  Those  for  gas  must  in  no  case  be  less  than  nine  by  thirteen  inches,  and  be  so 
arranged  that  stove  pipes  can  be  passed  into  them  from  each  of  the  principal  rooms.  They  are  to  be  pargctted  and 
surmounted  with  a  chimney-can.  This  brick-work  must  be  done  with  mortar  compounded  of  the  best  clean  river  sand 
and  well  burnt  lime.    The  mortar  is  to  be  removed  from  between  the  exterior  bricks  to  the  depth  of  half  an  inch. 

CARPENTER-WORK. — Place  all  joists,  studs  and  rafters  sixteen  inches  between  centres.  The  joists  of  the  first  floor 
are  to  be  three  by  eleven  inch  spruce  pine.  Those  of  the  second  floor  are  to  be  of  hemlock,  three  by  twelve  inches.  A 
course  of  herring-bone  bridging  is  to  run  through  the  middle  of  each  tier.  The  ceiling  joists  are  to  be  two  by  ten  inches 
and  also  bridged.  The  rafters  are  to  be  three  by  six  inches.  The  wall  plates  at  the  eaves  and  on  the  gables  are  to  be 
three  by  nine  inches.  The  ridge  piece  is  to  be  three  by  twelve  inches,  and  the  whole  roof  must  be  framed  according  to 
working  drawings,  to  be  provided  for  the  purpose,  and  furnished  with  all  bolts,  straps,  spikes,  lathing  and  other 
material  necessary  to  finish  and  prepare  the  same  for  the  slater. 

FLOORS. — The  floors  throughout  the  interior  are  to  be  of  the  best  Carolina  heart  pine  boards,  one  inch  thick,  and 
not  over  four  inches  wide  when  tongued  and  grooved.  They  must  be  well  seasoned,  well  worked,  firmly  nailed  to  the  joists 
and  afterwards  smoothed  off.  The  floors  of  the  balconies  and  porches  are  to  be  of  white  pine  board,  two  inches  and  a  half 
wide,  tongued  and  grooved  and  with  white  lead  in  all  the  joints.  The  underside  of  all  the  balconies  must  be  ceiled  with 
sound  half  inch  planed  and  grooved  boards. 

STAIRS. — Place  all  stairs  on  three  strong  carriages  and  make  the  steps  of  one  inch  and  a  quarter  heart  boards.  The 
risers  must  be  of  pine  one  inch  thick,  grooved  and  glued  to  the  steps.  The  newel  of  the  main  flight  is  to  be  eight  inches 
in  diameter  and  richly  carved.  The  balusters  must  be  turned  and  not  less  than  two  and  a  quarter  inches  in  diameter. 
The  rail  is  to  be  moulded,  and  in  size  two  and  a  quarter  by  four  and  a  half  inches.  The  rail  and  balusters  of  the  gallery 
are  to  be  like  to  those  of  the  main  stairway,  all  being  of  the  best  mahogany.  The  newel  of  the  private  stairs  is  to  be 
six  inches  in  diameter,  and  the  balusters  one  inch  and  three  quarters  turned.  The  rail  must  be  moulded  and  be  two  by 
three  and  three  quarter  inches. 

DRESSINGS. — The  brackets  for  the  projecting  eaves,  gables,  balconies,  &c,  are  to  be  constructed  in  accordance  with 
the  form  shown  on  the  plates  of  details,  and  must  be  well  secured  to  the  soffits  of  the  roof,  &c,  with  spikes,  and  also  to 
the  walls  before  rough-casting.  The  cupola,  face  of  the  eaves,  verge  board,  dressings  of  the  gables,  balconies,  porches, 
conservatory  and  window  dressings,  must  all  be  constructed  as  set  forth  on  the  plates  of  details.  The  wash-boards 
throughout  the  principal  rooms  of  the  first  and  second  stories,  vestibule,  lobbies,  halls  and  gallery,  must  be  one  inch  and  a 
quarter  thick  with  a  one  and  three  quarter  by  four  inch  sub,  and  a  moulding  on  top  two  inches  and  a  quarter  high,  the 
whole,  including  the  sub  and  moulding,  being  fourteen  inches  broad.  All  other  wash-boards  are  to  be  eight  inches  broad, 
with  a  moulding  on  top.    The  inside  dressings  of  the  windows  and  doors  must  be  of  high  finish,  as  may  be  directed. 

DOORS. — All  the  principal  doors  in  the  first  story  must  be  two  inches  thick,  with  eight  inch  stiles  and  bottom 
rail  fourteen  inches  wide.    The  panels  are  to  have  rich  mouldings  on  both  sides,  with  carved  flowers  in  the  centre  of  each. 
The  kitchen,  conservatory,  store  room  and  closet  doors  are  to  be  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick,  with  plain  mouldings 
()      two  inches  and  a  quarter  wide.    The  principal  room  doors  in  the  second  story  must  be  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick,  (. 
^      with  seven -inch  stiles  and  bottom  rails  twelve  inches  wide.    They  are  to  have  two  and  a  half  inch  mouldings  on  both  H 
^3     sides.    The  doors  of  the  bath  room  and  closets  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  half  thick,  with  mouldings  on  one  side. 


AN     ORNAMENTAL     VILLA.  43 

WINDOWS. — The  windows  are  to  correspond  with  the  elevation  and  detail  plates.  The  sash  in  the  first  story  are  to  be 
one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick,  and  those  of  the  second  story  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  half  thick.  Each  window  is  to 
have  inside  shutters,  panelled  and  one  inch  thick,  with  four  folds  to  each  jamb.  The  inside  dressings  of  all-  the  doors  and 
windows  are  to  correspond  with  those  of  the  exterior,  except  the  head  piece,  which  is  to  be  more  rich.  The  windows  of  the 
kitchen  and  minor  apartments  are  to  have  four  inch  mouldings  inside.  Provide  lintels  eight  inches  deep  over  each 
opening  in  the  wall,  nine  inches  longer  than  the  breadth  of  the  opening  beneath. 

CLOSETS. — The  closets  throughout  must  be  fully  and  neatly  shelved*,  or  have  clothes  hooks,  as  may  be  directed.  Pro- 
vide a  dresser  in  the  kitchen  of  most  approved  construction. 

PLASTERING. — Lath  all  stud  partitions  and  ceilings  for  plastering.  Give  all  walls  and  ceilings  throughout  the 
interior  of  the  building  two  coats  of  brown  mortar  and  one  of  white  hard  finish.  Place  a  centre  flower  in  the  parlor 
five  feet  in  diameter,  one  in  the  dining  room  four  feet  in  diameter,  and  one  in  the  vestibule  three  feet  and  a  half  in  diameter. 
The  cornice  in  each  of  these  rooms  is  to  girt  seventeen  inches.  There  is  to  be  a  cornice  in  the  lobby,  hall,  library  and 
the  two  principal  chambers,  girting  nine  inches.  Lath  and  plaster  the  external  soffits  of  the  projecting  eaves  and  the 
ceilings  of  the  porches,  and  tint  the  same  as  may  be  desired.  The  whole  external  brick-work  is  to  be  rough-cast  in 
the  very  best  manner,  and  hard  finished  for  painting  and  sanding,  by  a  Morkman  familiar  with  the  business. 

SLATING. — The  roof  is  to  be  overlaid  with  the  best  domestic  slate,  of  small  size,  secured  with  oiled  nails,  two  to  each 
slate.  This  slating  must  be  made  tight  to  the  house  and  pointed  underneath  with  strong  hair  mortar,  to  exclude  better 
the  driving  rain  and  snow. 

TINNING. — The  hip  ridges,  vallies,  flushings  and  gutters,  are  to  be  laid  with  good  leaded  tin,  prepared  for  the  purpose. 
All  the  projecting  window  heads  and  porch  roofs  are  to  be  covered  with  the  same.  Provide  four  tin  conductors,  extending 
from  the  gutters  to  the  ground,  with  shoes,  eave  pipes,  &c,  all  put  up  securely  and  painted.  All  hot  air  flues  must  be 
lined  with  two  cross  tin. 

PLUMBING. — Place  a  reservoir  in  the  loft  over  the  bath  room,  lined  with  sheet  lead  three  pounds  to  the  foot,  and 
supplied  by  a  force  pump.  Provide  and  arrange  all  necessary  lead  pipes  for  conveying  the  water  from  the  reservoir  to 
the  bath  room,  to  the  water  closets,  to  the  sink  and  range  in  the  kitchen,  and  to  wash-basins  in  the  two  principal  chambers. 
The  bath  tub  and  sink  are  to  be  of  enamelled  iron,  and  to  be  supplied  with  additional  pipes  for  warm  water  from  a  boiler 
in  the  kitchen.  A  hot  and  cold  shower  bath  is  to  be  placed  over  the  tub.  The  stop-cocks  in  the  chambers  are  to  be  silver 
plated.  All  others  are  to  be  bronzed.  China  bowls  must  be  provided  for  the  chambers  and  water  closets.  All  pipes  are 
to  be  five  eighths  of  an  inch,  extra  strong,  and  every  thing  must  be  furnished,  put  up  and  completed. 

PAINTING,  &c. — All  tin-work  on  the  roofs  is  to  be  painted  on  both  sides,  the  upper  side  receiving  two  coats  corres- 
ponding in  color  with  the  slate.  Paint  and  sand  the  exterior  walls  in  the  best  style.  Paint  all  exterior  wood-work  with 
four  coats,  tinted  and  worked  in  imitation  of  old  oak.  Paint  all  interior  wood-work  with  three  coats  of  pure  white-lead, 
mixed  with  the  best  linseed  oil,  all  joints  and  holes  having  been  puttied  and  the  knots  properly  subdued.  The  newels, 
balusters  and  rails  of  the  stairways  and  gallery  are  to  have  four  coats  of  varnish.  The  sash  are  all  to  be  glazed  with  the 
best  American  crown  glass,  well  bedded,  bradded  and  back  puttied.  The  window  over  the  stairway  is  to  be  stained  glass 
of  a  selected  pattern. 

HARDWARE. — Provide  four  by  five  inch  silver  plated  butt  hinges  for  the  doors  of  the  lobby  and  vestibule.  The 
front  doors  are  to  be  furthermore  furnished  with  an  eight  inch,  upright,  mortice,  rebate  lock,  with  a  night  key  and 
porcelain  furniture  ornamented,  the  cost  of  the  lock  being  not  less  than  fourteen  dollars.  Provide  the  rest  of  the  above 
doors  with  mortice  locks  having  porcelain  knobs,  the  cost  of  each  not  being  less  than  six  dollars  and  a  half.  The  principal 
doors  in  the  second  story  are  to  have  four  by  four  inch  plated  butt  hinges,  and  locks  with  porcelain  furniture,  not  costing 
less  than  five  dollars  each.  All  other  doors  must  be  hung  with  suitable  butts  and  secured  by  locks  with  mineral  knobs  at 
three  dollars  each.  All  windows  are  to  be  double  hung  with  axle  pullics  and  patent  cord.  Provide  one  dozen  double  and 
one  dozen  single  brass  clothes  hooks  and  place  them  in  the  bath  room  and  closets  as  may  be  directed.  Procure  two 
and  a  half  cwt.  of  iron  anchors,  bolts,  &c,  to  be  used  in  the  framing  of  the  floors  and  roofs  where  necessary.  Place  in  the 
kitchen  a  bell  connected  with  a  porcelain  pull  in  the  front  door,  the  cost  of  the  whole  complete  not  being  less  than  five 
dollars  and  a  half.  Place  six  other  bells  in  the  kitchen,  Avith  pulls  in  the  principal  rooms,  as  may  be  directed.  Place  four 
mantles,  of  enamelled  iron,  in  the  four  principal  rooms,  the  cost  of  each  not  being  less  than  thirty  dollars. 

DEAFENING. — The  second  story  floor  is  to  be  deafened  by  placing  cleats  on  the  joists.  These  must  be  then  floored 
over  and  filled  with  mortar  flush  to  the  edge  of  the  joists. 

TILES. — The  vestibule,  lobby  and  hall  are  to  be  paved  with  plain  tiles,  No.  25  pattern,  buff  and  black.  In  the  hall 
place  an  octagon  centre  piece,  of  encaustic  tiles,  three  colors,  covering  twelve  square  feet. 

FINALLY. — Complete  the  whole  of  the  above  work  in  the  best  and  most  workmanlike  manner,  according  to  the 
working  drawings  and  the  general  intent  and  meaning  of  this  specification,  subject  at  all  times  to  the  direction  and 
decision  of  the  owner  or  his  superintendent. 


4-1 


AN    ORNAMENTAL  VILLA. 


A  FULL  ESTIMATE 
OF  THE  COST  IN  ERECTING  DESIGN  NINTH. 

Tins  estimate  is  intended  to  comprise  nearly  all  the  minutiae  of  the  building,  each  thing  being  of  the  very  best  quality 
and  set  at  the  market  cash  price  for  the  same.  -It  will  be  perceived  that  the  amount  is  greatly  increased  by  expensive 
decorations,  which,  if  desirable,  could  be  omitted  or  reduced,  and  thus  considerably  diminish  the  cost. 


Excavation,  741  yds.  @  20  cts.  per  yd.  £148.20 
Stone,  112  perches,  quarry  measurement,  @  90 

cts.  per  perch,     ------  100.80 

Laying  the  same,  including  sand  and  lime,  @  $1.25 

per  perch,    -------  140.00 

Brick,    118,000,  delivered  at  $6.00  per  M.      -  708.00 

Lime  and  sand  @  90  cts.  per  M.  brick,     -       -  106.20 

Laying  the  same  at  @  $3.00  per  M.  brick,       -  354.00 
llough-casting,  including  all  material,  790  yds. 

@  45  cts.   355.50 

Plastering,  2665  yds.  @  25  cts.       -      -       -  666.25  I 

Centre  flower  in  the  parlor,      -  18.00  I 

Centre  flower  in  the  dining  room,      -  13.00 

Centre  flower  in  the  vestibule,          -       -       -  9.00 

Cornice  girting  17  in.  216  ft.  @  17  cts.     -       -  36.72 

Cornice  girting  9  in.  400  ft.  @  9  cts.       -       -  36.00 

Tiles  for  flooring,  468  ft.  laid  @  42  cts.    -       -  196.56 

Centre  piece  in  hall,  12  ft.  @  $1.25,        -       -  15.00 

Scaffolding,  4000  ft.  @  §12.00  per  M.      -       -  48.00 

Joists  of  spruce  pine,  7500  ft.  @  $17.00  per  M.  127.50 

Joists  of  hemlock,  7500  ft.  @  $12.50  per  M.     -  93.75 

Joists  for  ceilings,  3100  ft.  @  $12.50  per  M.     -  38.75 

Rafters,  &c,  for  roof,  4800  ft.  @  $12.50  per  M.  60.00 

Slating  lath,  4350  ft.  (in  length)  @  $5.00  per  M.  21.75 

Studs,  3  by  4  in.  5500  ft.  @  $12.50  per  M.     -  68.75 

Studs  next  the  doors,  3  by  8  in.  1000  ft.  -       -  12.00 

Flooring  boards,  6150  ft.  @  $33.00  per  M.      -  202.95 

Main  stairway,  both  workmanship  and  material,  160.00 

Private  stairway,             «                    "  120.00 

Front  door  according  to  plate,          -  26.00 

Doors  2  inches  thick,  8  @  $7.50,     -      -      -  60.00 

Doors  If  inches  thick,  16  @  $5.25,  -       -       -  84.00 

Doors  \\  inches  thick,  8  @  $4.75,     -       -       -  38.00 
"Windows,  triple  and  twin,  14,  the  frames,  sash,  in- 
side shutters  and  outside  dressings  delivered  @ 

$35.50  to  each  window,        -       -       -       -  497.00 
"Windows,  single,  10,  frames,  sash,  &c,  delivered 

@  $19.00,   190.00 

Brackets  of  eaves  over  conservatory,  4  @  $5.25,  21.00 

Brackets  of  the  other  eaves,  35  @  $5.00,  -       -  175.00 

Brackets  of  gables  and  balconies,  37  @  $4.00,  -  148.00 

Assorted  lumber,  14500  ft.  @  $28.00  per  M.    -  406.00 

Workmanship  not  stated  above,  860  days  @  $1.75,  1505.00 

Carver's  bill,  including  cost  of  material,     -       -  128.00 

Slating,  3000  ft.  @  10  cts.      -  300.00 

Tinning,   165.00 

Painting  and  graining  and  sanding  the  exterior,  280.00 


$7879.68 


Painting  within  and  glazing,  including  material,  $450.00 


Stained  glass  for  window,  32  ft.  @  $1.00,         -  32.00 

Mortice  lock  for  front  door,      -       -       -       -  14.00 

Mortice  locks,  5  @  $6.50,       -  32.50 

Mortice  locks  in  the  second  story,  5  @  5.00,     -  25.00 

Locks  of  other  doors,  22  @  $3.00,    -       -     .-  66.00 

Butts,  silver  plated,  9  pair,  4  by  5  in.  @  $5.50,  49.50 

Butts,  silver  plated,  4  pair,  4  by  4  in.  @  $4.50,  18.00 

Iron  butts,  6  pair,  3-J  by  4  in.  @  16  cts.   -       -  .96 

Iron  butts,  4  pair,  3£  by  SJ  in.  @  15  cts.  -       -  .60 

Iron  butts,  12  pair,  2  by  3  in.  @  8  cts.     -       -  .96 

Back  flaps  for  shutters,  24  doz.  pair,  @  45  cts.  -  10.80 

Butts  for  shutters,  10  doz.  pair,  2  by  3  in.  @  70  cts.  7.00 

Front  door  bell  and  furniture,   -       -       -       -  5.50 

Bells  inside  and  fixtures,  6  @  $3.00,        -       -  18.00 

Axle  pullies,  4  doz.  If  in.  @  50  cts.         -       -  2.00 

Sash  cord,  18  lb.  @  31J  cts.    -       -       -      -  5.621 

Sash  lifts,  4  doz.  %  50  cts.                            -  2.00 

Brass  clothes  hooks,  double,  1  doz.    -       -       -  1.50 

Brass  clothes  hooks,  single,  1  doz.     -       -       -  .62J 

Mantles,  4  @  $30.00  each,      ...       -  120.00 

Wrought  iron  work,  2£  cwt.  @  $10.00,      -       -  25.00 

Nails  and  spikes,  21  kegs  @  $4.50,  -       -       -  94.50 

Lightning  rod  of  twisted  wire,  80  ft.  @  15  cts.  -  12.00 

Platinum  point  for  the  same,     -       -       -       -  4.00 

Lining  the  reservoir  with  lead,  -       -       -       -  34.00 

Force  pump,    -------  30.00 

Bath  tub  and  sink,   29.50 

Shower  bath  over  the  tub,  with  brass  shower,     -  17. 0Q 

China  bowls  in  the  chambers,  2  @  $3.00,          -  6.00 

Plated  stop-cocks  to  the  same,  4  @  $5.00,         -  20.00 

Stop-cocks  elsewhere,  7  @  $2.50,      -       -       -  17.50 

Lead  pipe,  210  ft.  @  20  cts.    -  42.00 

Fitting  up  the  whole  complete,         ...  45.00 

Water  closets,  2,  with  soil-pipe,  17  ft.  @  70  cts.  161.90 

Ventilators,  6,  Dr.  Arnott's  self-acting,  @  $3.00  18.00 

Furnace,  Chilson's  No.  4,  including  setting,       -  140.00 

Register  for  the  parlor,  plated,  11  by  16  in.      -  17.50 

Register  for  the  dining  room,  black,  11  by  16  in.  7.50 

Register  for  the  hall,  octagon,  polished,     -       -  16.00 

Register  for  the  library,  black,  11  by  12  in.      -  4.00 

Registers  in  2d  story,  5,  black,  9  by  14  in.  @  $4.75,  23.75 

Cooking  range,  &c,  complete  and  set,       -       -  125.00 


1752.72 
7879.68 


$9632.40 


Mesiqn  IX. 


/'/.  XXXV. 


Design  IX.  /'/.AAA'//'. 


Design  IX 


f  )|  ji       i  «  s?  _  ^°  V  ^°   6,0 

Scale  10  FHo  the  inch 

F3  DnDoS  litKfirj^Hf 


NORMAN  ARCHITECTURE. 


^^^S^^^IORMAN  Architecture  was  the  precursor  of  the  Gothic,  and  its  origin  may  be  traced  to  the 
J^yH  buildings  of  the  northern  barbaric  hordes  who  over-ran  Italy.  With  the  fall  of  the  Roman 
^^Mkl  Empire,  as  was  remarked  in  a  previous  article,  Architecture  suffered  a  great  depression,  and 
^atP*  has  not  since  returned  to  its  former  position.  When  Italy  became  independent  again  of  foreign 
fx  power,  and  the  works  of  Vitruvius  were  discovered,  then  old  principles  were  resumed  and  the  labor 
of  perfecting  was  carried  on  with  vigor ;  but  until  that  time,  even  in  Italy,  barbarous  modes  prevailed. 
The  Goths,  who  retained  supremacy  there  during  nearly  a  century,  did  nothing  for  the  advancement  of  the 
art.  They  used  the  materials  of  overthrown  temples,  attaching  highly  sculptured  ornaments  to  the  rude 
massive  walls  of  their  castles  and  palaces,  thus  producing  harsh  contrasts  and  falsity  of  expression  that 
exclude  their  mode  from  the  domain  of  art. 

The  Lombards  succeeded  the  Goths  in  northern  Italy,  and  founded  a  kingdom  which  lasted  for  two 
centuries.  In  building  they  used  new  materials  and  exhibited  much  taste  and  skill,  combined  with 
considerable  originality.  They  were  influenced  doubtless  by  the  buildings  of  the  Goths  and  the  remains 
of  the  destroyed  empire ;  but  their  edifices  were  very  rough,  and  being  constructed  principally  for  the 
purposes  of  defence,  had  immense  massive  walls  from  six  to  nine  feet  thick.  In  the  year  A.  D.  590, 
Theodolina,  queen  of  the  Lombards,  embraced  the  Catholic  faith  and  endowed  several  ecclesiastical 
establishments,  and  in  constructing  buildings  for  their  reception,  a  higher  order  of  art  was  attempted. 
The  massive  walls  were  retained,  but  the  windows  were  more  frequent,  larger,  and  arched  at  the  top. 
The  influence  of  the  monuments  around  is  perceptible  in  the  production  of  these  very  creditable  edifices. 

Charlemagne  expelled  the  Lombards,  and  in  the  year  800  ceded  the  government  of  Italy  to  the 
Pope.  The  Lombards  were  scattered  throughout  Europe  for  a  time,  and  communicated  their  knowledge  of 
Architecture  to  the  more  barbarous  tribes  in  France  and  Germany.  These,  feeling  the  need  of  military 
fortifications,  erected  buildings  for  the  purpose,  in  imitation  of  the  Lombardic  manner. 

During  the  ninth  century  the  Normans  settled  in  the  north  of  France,  a  province  having  been  granted 

them  by  Charles  the  Simple.    They  soon  afterwards  embraced  the  Christian  religion  and  began  to  erect 

edifices  for  its  conduct.    Their  superior  energy  of  character  and  their  zeal  for  the  new  religion,  caused 

them  readily  to  surpass  their  cotemporaries  in  the  art.    The  ecclesiastics  labored  night  and  day,  both  as 

architects  and  artificers,  and  the  monasteries  exceeded  even  the  castles  of  the  nobles  in  magnificence.  All 

their  buildings  were  upon  a  more  elegant  and  grander  scale  than  those  in  the  Lombard  style,  and  finally 

12  45 


4G  NORMAN  ARCHITECTURE. 

differed  from  them  materially  in  general  design,  ornament  and  execution.  The  massive  proportions  were 
disused,  and  the  walls  diminished  in  thickness  were  huilt  to  a  greater  height.  Their  edifices  nevertheless 
appeared  cumberously  heavy,  but  they  ceased  not  to  improve  in  this  and  other  respects  until  the  stylo 
gradually  changed  to  the  Gothic,  and  although  these  improvements  were  every  where  diffused,  yet  on  the 
continent  the  mode  was  never  distinguished  by  any  particular  name,  but  was  termed,  with  that  which 
preceded  it,  the  Lombard  style. 

William,  Duke  of  Normandy,  afterwards  self-styled  the  Conqueror,  invaded  England  in  the  year  10GG, 
and  having  become  possessed  of  the  throne,  sought  to  secure  his  conquest  by  building  castles  in  various 
places.  Among  these  was  the  tower  of  London  which  served  both  as  a  stronghold  and  palace.  lie  also 
gave  every  encouragement  in  his  power  to  the  depressed  church.  Under  his  auspices  it  increased  rapidly 
in  power  and  wealth.  Cathedrals,  abbeys  and  other  such  buildings  went  up  in  all  directions,  each  endea- 
voring to  excel  its  neighbor,  until  every  little  town  had  something  of  which  to  boast  and  be  proud.  Thus 
the  Norman  soon  supplanted  the  Anglo-Saxon  style  which  formerly  prevailed  in  the  island.  When  the 
government  became  more  settled,  such  impregnable  fortresses  as  their  castles  were  not  requisite, 
and  more  attention  began  to  be  paid  to  comfort.  The  advance  of  the  style  was  now  characterized  by 
greater  lightness  in  construction  and  delicacy  in  details.  The  windows  were  increased  both  in  size  and 
number,  and  the  carvings  were  more  profuse  and  less  rudely  executed. 

The  unsurpassed  skill  in  adapting  mathematical  principles  which  characterized  the  media>val  architects 
may  be  attributed  almost  entirely  to  the  labors  of  the  society  of  Free  Masons,  whose  origin  as  a  guild  is 
lost  in  obscurity,  but  who  at  this  time  were  gathering  knowledge  and  strength.  They  roved  in  bands  from 
place  to  place  wherever  there  was  a  castle  or  church  to  build,  and  by  their  intercommunication,  secrecy  and 
united  action  soon  monopolized  the  erection  of  all  large  edifices.  In  the  twelfth  century  they  were  granted 
great  privileges  by  the  Pope,  and  to  their  scientific  skill  wre  owe  those  grand  monuments  of  that  and 
succeeding  ages.  The  ramifications  of  this  powerful  fraternity  extend  throughout  the  world,  but  it 
has  long  since  ceased  the  practice  of  Architecture,  and  we  have  great  cause  to  regret  that  so  many  of  their 
records,  which  would  be  of  practical  value  in  the  art,  have  been  destroyed. 

About  the  middle  of  the  twelfth  century  a  radical  change  began  to  exhibit  itself  in  Architecture.  The 
transition  was  easy  but  decided,  and  as  has  been  before  remarked,  at  the  close  of  the  century  the  style  had 
so  changed  as  to  receive  a  new  name,  the  Gothic.  The  Norman  style  prevailed  in  England  for  about  a 
hundred  and  fifty  years.  On  the  continent  it  merged  into  the  Gothic  about  the  same  time  as  in  England, 
but  having  existed  earlier,  it  may  be  said  to  have  prevailed  there  under  a  different  name  for  about  a 
century  more.    During  this  time  it  was  continually  undergoing  gradual  changes  and  improvements. 

Norman  buildings  were  principally  of  two  kinds,  those  for  religious  service  and  those  for  the  purpose  of 
defence,  both  being  used  as  habitations.  The  castles  were  erected  in  provinces  or  districts  with  huts  of 
poor  construction,  the  homes  of  the  peasantry,  scattered  around.    The  chief  man  of  the  province  with  his 


NORMAN   ARCHITECTURE.  47 

retainers  occupied  the  castle,  to  which  all  repaired  in  times  of  danger.  Ecclesiastical  edifices  were  some- 
times simply  for  worship,  but  generally  they  were  also  the  dwellings  of  the  ecclesiastics,  hospitals  for  the 
afflicted,  the  refuge  of  the  oppressed,  and  sufficiently  strong  to  be  put  in  a  state  of  defence  when  necessary. 
The  plan  of  the  churches  was  peculiar  and  every  where  the  same.  It  was  taken  from  that  of  the  Roman 
Basilicoe,  or  halls  of  justice,  many  of  which  were  used  by  the  early  Christians  as  places  of  worship,  and 
found  so  convenient  for  the  purpose,  that  the  plan  was  universally  adopted.  When  the  service  of  the 
church  began  to  require  more  space,  a  transept  was  added  which  gave  the  plan  the  form  of  a  Latin  cross, 
the  upper  part  of  which,  so  to  speak,  always  laid  towards  the  east  and  was  called  the  chancel,  the  western 
portion,  being  the  main  body  of  the  building,  was  called  the  nave,  and  the  southern  portion  of  the  transept 
was  the  choir.  The  form  of  other  buildings,  and  that  of  the  castles,  was  subject  to  no  particular  rule. 
They  were  oftentimes  surrounded  by  a  heavy  wall  and  had  watch-towers,  strongholds  and  dungeons. 

The  walls  of  the  buildings  were  of  immense  thickness.  The  outer  courses  were  mostly  constructed  of 
ashlar-work  or  "  clene  hewen  stone,"  as  it  is  termed  in  the  old  contracts  and  the  intermediate  space  filled 
with  grouted  rubble-work.  Sometimes  this  rubble-work  was  used  for  the  outer  courses,  the  buttresses  and 
angles  only  being  of  ashlar-work,  and  in  all  cases  the  joints  were  very  wide.  Buttresses  were  not  intro- 
duced until  the  wall  was  so  diminished  in  thickness  as  to  render  them  necessary  to  resist  the  lateral  thrust 
of  the  arches.  They  were  so  flat  as  to  resemble  pilasters,  and  either  ran  into  the  corbel-table,  thus  pre- 
senting the  appearance  of  panelling,  or  finished  into  the  wall  just  beneath  the  cornice.  The  embattled 
parapet  which  surmounts  the  walls  of  many  towers  is  supposed  to  be  of  subsequent  construction,  but  is 
certainly  a  fine  addition.    Heavy  string  courses  are  common,  both  plain  and  moulded. 

The  tower  of  this  style  is  either  round  or  angular.  In  very  large  churches  it  was  erected  on  the  inter- 
section of  the  nave  and  transept,  but  in  others  it  either  occupied  the  angles  formed  by  the  intersection,  or 
the  western  corners  of  the  edifice.  In  other  buildings  it  had  no  particular  position,  but  was  generally 
placed  at  an  angle  of  the  walls,  which  it  always  overlooked.  It  was  frequently  surmounted  by  a  conical 
roof  of  wood  or  tiles,  with  overhanging  eaves,  which  form  was  afterwards  elongated  and  became  the  spire. 
Of  the  roof  of  the  main  building  we  can  say  nothing,  no  specimens  being  extant. 

The  principles  of  the  arch  were  well  understood  by  the  Normans.  Beneath  their  buildings  were  found 
extensive  crypts  and  vaults,  both  barrel  and  groined,  whose  stability  has  shown  them  to  be  of  excellent 
construction.  All  doors  and  windows  were  headed  with  an  arch,  which  was  stilted  when  the  style 
approached  its  term.  The  openings  had  above  them  the  semi-circular  hood-mould,  resting  on  ornamented 
corbels.  No  part  of  the  structure  received  so  much  attention  as  the  portals.  Occasionally  porches  were 
used,  and  always  the  doors  were  deeply  recessed  in  the  wall.  In  the  latter  stage  of  the  style  they  were 
elaborately  enriched  with  mouldings  of  various  patterns,  and  the  archivault  was  composed  of  numerous  ribs. 
Whatever  of  sculpture  adorned  the  building  was  generally  placed  on  or  near  the  doorway.  The  tympanum 
was  often  decorated  with  rudely  executed  bas-relief,  generally  symbolical  or  grotesque.    In  this  work  there 


48  NORMAN  ARCHITECTURE. 

was  no  effort  at  high  finish,  a  striking  bold  effect  being  only  desired.  The  windows  were  long,  narrow  and 
decorated  with  mouldings.  They  were  placed  either  singly  or  in  pairs,  and  were  sometimes  ranged  in 
arcades.  In  these  arcades  we  may  occasionally  see  the  intersecting  arches  from  which  the  pointed  arch  of 
the  early  Gothic  was  derived.  There  is  a  fine  instance  of  this  in  the  Croyland  Abbey  Church,  Lincolnshire, 
where  a  range  of  pointed  arches  occurs  immediately  below  such  an  arcade. 

The  mouldings  of  the  Norman  style  are  peculiar  and  characteristic.  The  most  frequent  is  the  chevron, 
or  zig-zag,  from  which  nearly  all  others  and  the  tooth-moulding  of  the  early  Gothic  originated.  There  are 
besides  this  the  embattled,  the  double  cone,  the  alternate  billet,  the  lozenge  and  others.  The  running- 
mouldings  and  arch  ribs  were  of  various  patterns.  The  cornices,  doors,  windows  and  piers  only  received 
these  ornaments. 

The  piers  on  which  these  arches  rested  were  at  first  made  heavy,  and  plain,  but  as  the  style  advanced 
they  were  more  finished  and  ornamented.  The  body  of  the  pillar  was  generally  square  with  a  cylindrical 
shaft  placed  against  each  side.  The  corners  of  the  square  continued  formed  the  groin,  and  the  shaft  also 
continued  formed  the  arch.  Occasionally  it  was  composed  entirely  of  clustered  shafts,  which  at  the  doorways 
were  embedded  in  the  jams  and  so  arranged  as  to  be  continuations  of  the  arch  ribs.  The  cap  just  beneath 
the  point  of  impost  was  either  plain  or  richly  sculptured  with  foliage  or  other  fanciful  designs,  and  the  base 
was  formed  of  moulded  bands  much  resembling  those  of  the  classic  orders. 

The  Normans  in  their  partially  civilized  state  knew  but  little  of  the  comforts  of  living,  and  although  they 
took  great  pride  in  their  buildings,  yet  the  peaceful  arts  did  not  occupy  much  of  their  attention.  They 
supplied  by  manual  skill,  patience  and  perseverance,  all  mechanical  deficiencies,  and  the  expression  of  the 
style  is  in  general  very  bold,  great  strength  being  combined  with  vast  and  ponderous  magnificence. 

Of  the  adaptation  of  the  Norman  style  to  modern  purposes  a  word  may  be  said.  For  all  public  buildings, 
such  as  Capitols,  Departments,  Court-Houses,  Prisons,  Military  Establishments,  &c,  where  something 
beyond  mere  brick  and  mortar  is  desirable,  the  style  stands  without  a  rival,  and  for  Collegiate  Institutions 
and  Libraries  it  is  better  adapted  than  any  other  with  which  we  are  acquainted.  For  Churches  it  is  only 
surpassed  by  the  Gothic,  whose  lofty  and  impressive  grandeur  seems  to  claim  this  as  its  peculiar  province. 
In  adapting  the  classic  orders  to  our  purposes,  it  is  almost  impossible  to  retain  that  purity  which  is  their 
greatest  charm,  but  we  may  produce  buildings  in  the  mediaeval  styles,  which,  with  entire  truthfulness,  will 
combine  harmony  of  expression  and  purpose.  The  great  pliability  of  design  which  belongs  to  these  styles, 
gives  them  advantages  over  every  other,  for  they  admit  almost  any  arrangement,  and  hence,  need  not  be 
servile  imitations  such  as  the  classic  orders  require.  An  elaboration  of  these  views  may  be  found  in  the 
"  Hints  on  Public  Architecture,"  where  the  accomplished  author  has  given  extended  and  popular  illus- 
trations of  this  subject.  For  dwellings,  this  style  is  only  adapted  to  those  on  a  large  scale.  Its  heavy, 
bold,  and  rich  expression  would  be  lost  in  a  building  of  small  size,  but  for  an  extensive  villa  it  presents 
most  admirable  features.    The  design  here  given  speaks  to  the  point. 


Desu/n  X 


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SECOND  STORY 


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FIRST  STORY. 

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Scale  L6  feet  to  tho  inch 


P  S  »  Sl.am  lilk  htu  Thil*.!  * 


Design  X . 


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PS  Duval's  Stenmlltli  Pros*  Tlnlad* 


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Scale.    Hi  inch  to  the  foot. 


P  S  J'uv.ili  Simia  lii h  Prem  Will 


A    NORMAN  VILLA. 
DESIGN  TENTH. 

This  Villa  was  designed  originally  for  A.  M.  East-wick,  Esq.,  and  is  now  nearly  completed  at  a  cost  of  about  thirty 
thousand  dollars.  The  interior  decorations  are  of  the  richest  description,  and  make  it  the  most  elegant  residence  perhaps 
in  this  section  of  country.  Plate  XXXIX.  presents  a  perspective  view  of  the  design,  the  front  elevation  of  which  composes 
the  frontispiece  of  this  volume.  The  side  and  rear  elevations  will  he  found  plates  on  XLIII.  and  XLIV.,  and  all  are  drawn 
to  a  scale  of  one-sixteenth  of  an  inch  to  the  foot. 

Plate  XL.  is  the  ground  plans  of  the  first  and  second  story,  with  the  dimensions  of  the  different  apartments  laid  down. 
The  points  marked  F.  P.  and  D.  W.  are  the  positions  of  the  fire-proof  closet  and  the  dumb-waiter.  In  the  second  story 
the  bath  room  communicating  with  the  principal  chamber  to  the  right,  is  made  with  a  half  partition  so  as  to  admit  light 
from  above.    In  both  bath  rooms  and  the  nursery,  wash-bowls  are  to  be  arranged. 

Plate  XLV.  exhibits  the  plans  for  the  basement  and  attic  stories.  In  the  front  bed-room  of  the  latter  are  the  stairs 
leading  to  the  upper  stories  of  the  tower.  In  the  passage  leading  to  this  room  is  a  circular  glass  plate  fixed  in  the  floor 
for  giving  light  to  the  hall  below,  received  from  the  sky-light  in  the  roof  above.  The  furring-off  is  shown  in  the  different 
chambers. 

Plate  XLI.  is  of  details.  Fig.  1,  outside  dressings  of  the  twin  windows  of  the  chambers  over  the  parlor  and  drawing 
room.  Fig.  2,  outside  dressings  of  the  side  window  of  the  chamber  over  the  dining  room.  Fig.  3,  bay  window  of  the 
parlor  and  drawing  room.    Fig.  4,  bay  window  of  the  dining  room.    Fig.  5,  window  sills,  &c. 

Plate  XLII.  is  of  details.  Fig.  1,  finial  of  the  front  porch.  Fig.  2,  front  porch  and  front  door  beneath.  Fig.  3,  cornice 
cap,  post  and  base  of  the  arcades.    Fig.  4,  cap  of  the  front  porch  enlarged. 

Plate  XLVI.  is  also  of  details.  Fig.  1,  balcony  over  the  front  porch.  Fig.  2,  side  view  of  the  same  showing  the 
bracket.  Fig.  3,  chimney,  gable  cornice  and  corbel.  Fig.  4,  cornice  of  the  tower.  Fig.  5,  section  of  the  front  porch 
post.    Fig.  6,  design  for  an  interior  corbel.    Figs.  7  and  8,  designs  for  interior  caps.    Fig.  9,  finial  of  the  tower. 

SPECIFICATION 

Of  the  workmanship  and  materials  to  be  used  in  the  erection  of  a  Norman  Villa,  designed  for  A.  M.  Eastwick,  Esq., 
Bartram's  Gardens,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Schuylkill,  near  Philadelphia. 

EXCAVATION. — The  collar  is  to  be,  throughout  tho  entire  extent  of  the  building,  including  all  appendages,  ten  feet 
deep  below  the  level  of  the  principal  floor.  The  trenches  for  foundations  are  to  be  at  least  eight  inches  deep  below  the 
cellar  bottom.  Excavate  also  all  areas,  drains,  cess-pools,  &c,  required  by  the  plans,  and  a  well  beneath  the  octagonal 
tower  to  the  water  gravel.  The  earth  from  the  said  excavations  is  to  be  graded  around  the  building  as  high  as  the  intended 
line  of  ground  level  and  rammed  quite  hard.  All  superfluous  earth  is  to  be  removed  from  the  grounds,  or  be  placed  where 
the  owner  may  direct. 

MASONRY. — All  the  exterior  walls  of  the  basement  story  are  to  be  composed  of  quarry  building  stone  of  the  best 
quality.  The  foundations  are  to  be  of  large  flat  stone,  well  and  solidly  bedded  in  mortar.  The  walls  must  be  well  flushed 
in  mortar  of  the  best  and  most  approved  compound  of  sharp  sand  and  well  burnt  lime,  and  grouted  every  two  feet  if  the 
material  used  be  of  an  absorbent  quality. 

The  foundatious  of  the  main  tower  are  to  be  three  feet  thick  to  the  level  of  the  cellar  floor  and  from  thence  two  feet  nine 
inches  thick  to  the  first  tier  of  the  joists.  Tho  foundations  of  the  octagon  tower  are  to  be  two  feet  six  inches  thick  to  tho 
level  of  the  cellar  floor,  and  from  thence  two  feet  three  inches  thick  to  the  first  tier  of  joists.  The  foundations  of  the  exterior 

13  49 


) 


50  A    NORMAN  VILLA. 

■walls  of  the  building  are  to  be  two  feet  three  inches  thick  to  the  level  of  the  cellar  floor,  and  from  thence  two  feet  thick  to 
the  first  tier  of  joists.  The  foundations  of  the  conservatory,  the  arcades  and  the  areas,  are  to  be  two  feet  thick  to  the 
level  of  the  cellar  floor,  and  from  thence  twenty  inches  thick.  The  foundations  of  the  front  porch  must  be  of  sufficient 
thickness  to  receive  the  granite  plinths  for  the  clustered  columns. 

CUT-STONE. — The  steps  and  plinths  of  the  front  porch,  the  steps,  sills  and  plinths  at  the  side,  the  sill  of  the  kitchen 
door,  the  steps  and  sill  of  the  rear  entrance,  the  base-course  and  water-table  around  the  building,  are  all  to  be  of  the  best 
Connecticut  granite,  neatly  tooled  and  completed  as  set  forth  in  the  working  drawings  which  describe  minutely  the  form 
and  mode  of  finishing. 

BRICK-WORK. — All  the  walls  of  the  superstructure  are  to  be  composed  of  the  best  burnt  bricks.  The  exterior  course 
is  to  be  of  hard  brick,  no  soft  brick  coming  within  four  inches  of  the  face  of  the  wall,  and  the  mortar  is  to  be  removed 
from  all  the  exterior  joints  at  least  half  an  inch  deep  from  the  surface.  The  walls  of  the  first  and  second  story  of  the  main 
tower  are  to  be  eighteen  inches  thick  and  the  wall  above  thirteen  inches  thick.  The  walla  of  the  first  story  of  the  octagon 
tower  are  to  be  eighteen  inches  thick,  and  the  remainder  thirteen  inches.  The  walls  of  these  towers  must  be  grouted  every 
fifth  course.  The  exterior  walls  of  the  buildings  are  to  be  fourteen  inches  thick  to  the  roof,  with  a  hollow  space  one  inch 
and  a  half  wide,  in  the  middle  between  the  inner  four  inch  course  and  the  body  of  the  •wall,  the  two  being  tied  together  by 
making  every  fifth  a  heading  course. 

All  the  divisions  in  the  basement,  which  according  to  the  plan  exceed  nine  inches  in  thickness,  are  to  be  thirteen  inches 
thick  and  composed  entirely  of  the  best  hard  bricks,  well  laid.  In  the  apartments  marked  "cellar,"  the  walls  are  to  be 
flushed  with  -white  mortar,  and  the  walls  of  the  others  are  to  be  faced  for  plastering.  The  division  walls  in  the  first  and 
second  stories  are  also  to  be  of  good  brick-work  nine  inches  thick.  All  bond  timber,  lintels,  &c,  throughout  the  building 
are  to  be  properly  bedded  in  mortar.  The  principal  openings  of  the  interior  are  to  have  arched  heads.  The  openings  for 
the  bay-windows  are  to  have  strong  lintels  with  arches  concealed  in  the  wall  above.  Construct  a  fire-proof  closet  in  the 
library  according  to  the  usual  method,  with  a  soap-stone  head  and  sill,  and  iron  doors. 

In  the  furnace  cellars,  two  cases  located  as  on  the  plan  are  to  be  bricked  up  with  two  walls  each  of  single  thickness, 
with  a  hollow  space,  four  inches  wide  between.    The  sizes  of  these  cases  are  delineated  on  the  plan. 

The  flues  for  heating  and  ventilating  the  building  must  be  arranged  in  such  a  manner  and  in  such  places  as  is  required 
by  the  plans,  or  as  may  be  hereafter  directed.  They  are  to  be  of  brick,  and  those  for  the  escape  of  gas  must  be  well 
pargetted  and  topped  out  as  shown  in  the  detail  drawings. 

A  culvert  for  drainage,  eighteen  inches  in  diameter,  is  to  be  constructed  of  brick  below  the  cellar  depths  extending  to 
the  nearest  point  of  the  river.  All  necessary  brick-work  for  the  construction  of  other  drains,  cess-pools,  is  to  be  performed 
as  the  owner  may  desire.    The  sides  of  the  well  beneath  the  tower  must  be  walled  with  one  course  of  hard  brick. 

The  mortar  for  all  the  above  work  must  be  the  best  and  most  approved  compound  of  clean  sharp  river  sand  and  well 
burnt  fresh  lime,  in  such  proportions  as  will  insure  the  strongest  and  most  durable  cement. 

CARPENTER-WORK. — In  the  basement  story  the  passage,  store  room,  laundry,  kitchen,  servants'  hall  and  tool  room 
are  to  have  floor  joists  three  by  six  inches  of  white  oak,  firmly  bedded  in  good  concrete  composed  of  stone  chips  and 
gravel  mortar.  The  joists  of  the  principal  floor  are  all  to  be  three  by  twelve  inches,  of  spruce  pine.  Those  of  the  second 
and  attic  floors  are  to  be  three  by  ten  inches,  and  of  hemlock.  All  are  to  be  placed  sixteen  inches  between  centres,  to 
have  one  course  of  herring-bone  bridging  through  the  centre  of  each  tier,  and  are  to  have  three-fourths  of  an  inch  crown. 

The  wall  plates  at  the  foot  of  the  roof,  and  those  for  the  gable  timbers  to  rest  upon,  are  to  be  three  by  nine  inches,  and 
to  project  two  inches  from  the  face  of  the  wall.  All  bond  timbers  and  lintels  are  to  be  provided  when  and  where  required 
of  sizes  suited  to  their  purposes. 

The  rafters  for  the  roof  are  to  be  of  the  usual  cut  and  three  by  eight  inches,  those  in  the  vallies  being  three  by  ten  inches, 
and  those  for  the  flat  over  the  hall  three  by  nine  inches.  All  are  to  be  placed  sixteen  inches  between  centres  and  to  be 
closely  sheathed.  The  whole  of  this  roof  is  to  be  framed  according  to  the  working  drawings  provided  for  the  purpose. 
Provide  all  necessary  bolts,  straps,  spikes  and  other  material  necessary  to  complete  the  work  for  the  slater.  The  rafters 
for  the  roofs  of  the  arcades,  conservatory  and  other  flats,  are  to  be  mere  continuations  of  the  floor  joists,  prepared  for 
tinning.  The  roof  of  the  main  tower  is  to  be  of  strong  plank,  properly  curved,  firmly  secured  to  the  wall  plates,  sheathed 
and  covered  with  the  best  cedar  shingles  in  diamond  pattern.  Each  side  of  this  roof  is  to  have  a  dormer  window  as  on  the 
elevations.    All  other  dormer  windows  are  also  to  be  constructed  according  to  the  elevations. 

All  requisite  studs  for  partitions  are  to  be  three  by  four  inches  except  those  next  doors,  which  must  be  three  by  six 
inches.  Provide  all  necessary  furring-out  from  the  rafters  to  the  floor,  for  the  sides  of  the  attic  rooms,  wherever  delineated 
upon  the  plans,  with  studs  three  by  four  inches.    Tlace  all  studs  sixteen  inches  between  centres. 

OUTSIDE  DRESSINGS. — The  cornices  of  the  eaves  and  gables  are  all  to  be  constructed  as  set  forth  on  the  elevations 
and  other  working  drawings  which  exhibit  their  peculiar  form  and  mode  of  finishing.  Reference  is  to  be  made  to  these 
drawings  for  the  completion  of  the  porches,  arcades,  conservatory,  doorways  and  all  other  outside  dressings.    The  carved 


A    NORMAN  VILLA. 


51 


work  is  of  wood  painted  and  sanded.  The  clustered  columns  of  the  front  porch  and  arcades,  and  those  of  the  hay-windows 
and  conservatory  are  of  heart  pine  turned  and  placed  as  exhibited  by  the  drawings. 

FLOORS. — The  floors  in  the  basement  and  principal  story  are  to  be  composed  of  boards  four  inches  broad,  when  laid, 
and  one  inch  and  a  fourth  thick.  Those  of  the  second  and  third  stories  are  of  the  same  width,  and  ono  inch  thick.  All  are  to 
be  of  the  best  Carolina  heart  pine,  mill-worked,  well  seasoned,  firmly  nailed  to  the  joists  and  afterwards  smoothed  off. 
The  attic  floor  need  not  extend  beyond  the  furring  out.  The  floors  of  the  second  and  third  stories  are  to  be  deafened  by 
nailing  cleats  to  the  joists  four  inches  from  the  edge,  flooring  them  over  and  filling  the  space  with  mortar  flush  to  the 
edge  of  the  joists,  The  floors  of  the  arcades,  &c,  are  to  composed  of  white  pine  boards,  one  inch  and  a  quarter  by  four 
inches.  They  must  be  well  laid  with  white-lead  in  all  the  joints.  The  ceilings  of  the  same  are  to  be  lined  with  half  inch 
white  pine  boards,  quartered,  grooved,  leaded  and  neatly  smoothed  off  for  painting. 

STAIRS. — The  main  stairs  are  to  be  of  one  and  a  quarter  inch  heart  step  boards  of  yellow  pine,  best  quality,  with  one 
and  a  quarter  inch  white  pine  risers,  placed  upon  four  three  by  twelve  inch  bearers  of  hemlock.  The  newel  is  to  be  ten 
inches  at  the  base,  with  a  richly  carved  shaft,  the  balusters  are  to  be  three  inches  at  the  base,  and  also  richly  carved,  the 
rail  is  to  be  two  and  a  half  by  five  inch  moulded,  and  all  are  to  be  of  black  walnut.  The  private  stairs  leading  from  the 
basement  to  the  attic,  are  to  have  turned  balusters  and  newel  of  a  smaller  size,  but  in  all  other  respects  they  arc  to  be 
similar  to  the  main  stairway.    The  whole  of  the  work  must  be  executed  in  a  firm  and  workmanlike  manner. 

DOORS. — The  front  entrance  doors  are  to  be  of  double  thickness,  making  two  inches  and  a  half  in  all,  put  together 
with  two  inch  screws.  They  are  to  be  paneled,  moulded  and  richly  ornamented,  as  shown  by  the  drawings.  They  must 
be  hung  with  five  by  five  inch  silver  plated  butts,  the  joints  being  bushed  with  steel.  The  lock  is  to  be  eight  inch,  upright, 
mortice  rebate,  with  ornamented  porcelain  furniture  and  night  key.  The  doors  are  to  be  further  secured  by  two  iron  plate 
flush  bolts  with  porcelain  knobs,  the  one  at  the  bottom  being  ten  inches  long,  and  the  one  at  the  top  three  feet  six  inches. 
The  door  opening  into  the  parlor  from  the  vestibule,  is  to  be  two  inches  thick,  and  finished  like  to  the  front  doors,  except 
that  the  butts  are  to  be  four  by  five  inch  and  the  lock  four  inch.  Provide  also  two  sets  of  sliding  doors  for  the  openings 
from  the  drawing-room  to  the  hall  and  to  the  dining  room.  They  are  to  be  two  inches  and  a  half  thick,  constructed, 
finished,  and  in  the  same  manner  as  the  front  doors.    All  are  to  have  arched  heads. 

All  other  room  doors  throughout  the  first  story  are  to  be  two  inches  thick  and  the  closet  doors  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a 
half  thick.  They  are  all  to  have  arched  heads  and  must  be  paneled  and  moulded,  with  ornaments  in  the  panels.  The  room 
doors  are  to  be  hung  with  four  by  four  inch  silver  plated  butts  and  secured  by  locks  with  ornamented  porcelain  furniture.  The 
closet  doors  are  to  be  hung  with  three  by  four  inch  plated  butts,  and  secured  with  three  and  a  half  inch  locks  with  porcelain 
knobs.  The  doors  throughout  the  second  story  are  to  be  entirely  similar  to  those  in  the  first  story,  except  that  they  have 
plain  butts  and  arc  without  the  panel  ornaments.  The  room  doors  in  the  attic  story  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  half  thick, 
the  closet  doors  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  quarter  thick,  and  all  are  to  be  otherwise  similar  to  those  in  the  second  story, 
except  that  the  panels  arc  to  have  no  mouldings. 

The  entrance  doors  to  the  kitchen  must  be  two  inches  thick  and  hinged  with  four  by  four  inch  butts  and  secured  with  a 
six  inch  mortice  lock,  and  two  six  inch  iron  plate  flush  bolts.  The  other  room  doors  throughout  the  basement  are  to  be  one 
inch  and  a  half  thick,  hung  with  three  and  a  half  by  three  and  a  half  inch  butts,  and  secured  by  suitable  locks.  All  closet 
doors  must  have  locks  and  bo  finished  similar  to  those  in  the  attic. 

WINDOWS. — All  windows  are  to  have  arched  heads  and  must  be  finished  according  to  the  working  drawings.  Provide 
inside  shutters  to  those  of  the  basement,  first  and  second  stories,  made  in  the  requisite  folds,  one  inch  thick,  paneled, 
moulded  and  otherwise  finished  in  the  best  manner.  All  sash,  except  those  of  the  dormer  windows  and  octagon  tower,  arc  to 
be  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick,  and  double  hung  with  axle  pullics  and  patent  cord.  Those  of  the  conservatory  are  to 
have  one  sash  each,  so  arranged  as  to  descend  into  the  basement.  The  sash  of  its  roof  are  to  be  arranged  as  to  open  easily 
with  cord  and  pullics. 

INSIDE  DRESSINGS,  &c. — The  skirting  of  the  parlor,  hall,  drawing  room  and  dining  room  must  be  fourteen  inches 
wide,  including  the  sub  and  moulding.  That  of  the  other  rooms  in  the  first  story  and  of  those  in  the  second  story,  are  to 
be  twelve  inches  wide  and  of  a  similar  finish,  and  all  other  skirting  must  be  seven  inches  wide,  including  a  one  and  a  half 
inch  moulding.    All  other  dressings  are  to  accord  with  the  drawings. 

There  is  to  be  a  plank  reservoir,  strongly  bolted,  and  of  1500  gals,  capacity,  placed  in  the  square  tower  near  the  ceiling 
of  the  fourth  story ;  also  one  similar  in  the  third  story  of  the  octagon  story,  having  a  capacity  of  800  gals.  The  reservoirs 
referred  to  are  in  Mr.  Eastwick's  house,  made  of  boiler  iron,  strongly  riveted  and  painted. 

The  closets  are  all  to  be  fitted  up  with  shelves,  hooks,  &c,  as  may  be  directed.  There  must  be  a  dumb  waiter  arranged 
at  the  point  marked  on  the  plans  D.  W.,  with  cords,  pullics  and  weights,  so  as  to  move  readily  between  the  basement  and 
first  story. 

PLASTERING. — All  walls  and  ceilings  of  the  building  are  to  receive  two  coats  of  brown  mortar,  and  one  of  white  hard 
finish.    All  studding  is  to  have  lath  free  from  bark  securely  nailed.    There  is  to  be  a  cornice  in  the  vestibule,  hall,  parlor, 


52 


A    NORMAN  VILLA. 


library,  drawing  room,  dining  room  and  principal  chambers,  executed  and  finished  according  to  sectional  detail  drawings 
provided  for  the  purpose.    There  are  to  be  centre  pieces  in  the  same  rooms  of  the  first  story  of  an  agreed  size  and  pattern. 

ROUGH-CASTING. — All  the  exterior  walls  must  bo  well  brushed,  to  remove  dust  and  loose  mortar,  previous  to  rough- 
casting, and  be  kept  well  saturated  with  water  during  the  progress  of  the  work.  The  materials  are  to  be  of  the  very  best 
quality,  the  sand  being  well- washed  before  using.    The  whole  is  to  be  laid  off  into  blocks,  tinted  to  represent  stone. 

SLATING. — All  the  roof  of  the  building  except  the  flats  is  to  be  overlaid  in  diamond  pattern  with  the  best  purple  Welsh 
slate  of  a  large  size.  Each  slate  is  to  be  secured  with  two  copper  nails,  and  the  whole  pointed  beneath  with  strong  hair 
mortar,  to  exclude  the  driving  rain  and  snow. 

TINNING. — All  flues  for  heated  air  are  to  be  cased  in  tin.  All  flats,  vallies,  flushings,  and  the  roofs  of  the  octagon 
tower,  arcades,  and  bay  windows,  must  be  overlaid  with  the  best  one-cross  roofing  tin,  painted  on  both  sides,  the  upper 
receiving  two  coats.    Provide  also  all  necessary  gutters,  conductors,  &c,  of  the  best  tin. 

LIGHTNING-RODS. — There  is  to  be  a  lightning  rod  placed  against  the  main  tower.  It  must  descend  at  least  six  feet 
below  the  surface,  be  properly  secured  to  the  wall,  ascend  at  least  six  feet  above  the  roof  of  the  tower,  and  finish  with  a 
platinum  point,  costing  not  less  than  four  dollars. 

TILES. — The  vestibule,  kitchen  and  conservatory  are  to  be  floored  with  English  tiles ;  the  pattern  of  the  first  being  red 
buff  and  black  with  a  centre  of  encaustic  tiles  in  five  colors ;  that  of  the  second  being  red  and  black ;  and  that  of  the  third 
being  black  and  buff. 

BELLS,  &c. — There  are  to  be  twelve  bells  with  wire  pulls  and  six  speaking  tubes  arranged  in  such  parts  of  the  building 
as  the  owner  may  direct.    The  bell  pull  of  the  front  door  must  be  of  ornamented  porcelain. 

MANTLES. — There  must  be  a  mantle  placed  in  the  drawing-room  at  a  cost  not  less  than  $150,  one  in  the  parlor  and 
dining  room  at  S100  each,  one  in  the  library  at  $50,  one  in  the  office  at  $30,  and  two  in  the  principal  chambers  at 
$40  each.    The  patterns  are  to  be  selected  by  the  owner. 

PAINTING  AND  GLAZING. — All  the  wood-work  of  the  interior  that  it  is  usual  to  paint,  must  have  two  coats  of  pure 
white-lead  mixed  with  linseed  oil,  tinted  as  may  be  directed.  The  rail,  &c,  of  the  stairs  is  to  have  four  coats  of  the  best 
varnish.  All  ext.erior  wood-work,  except  the  floors,  must  either  be  painted  and  grained  in  imitation  of  oak,  or  in  imitation 
of  stone,  and  sanded  as  may  be  directed. 

All  the  sash  are  to  be  glazed  with  the  best  American  glass,  well  bedded,  bradded  and  back  puttied. 

PLUMBING. — The  reservoirs  supplied  by  force  pumps  are  to  be  lined  with  sheet  lead  weighing  three  lbs.  to  the  square  , 
foot,  and  the  bath  tubs  with  lead  weighing  five  lbs.  Arrange  water-closets  in  the  first  three  stories  of  the  octagon  tower, 
with  china  bowls  and  a  soil  pipe  connecting  with  the  well  beneath.  Provide  china  wash  basons  in  each  of  the  bath  rooms 
and  in  each  of  the  principal  chambers.  The  above  must  be  supplied  with  water  from  the  reservoirs  by  pipes  extra  strong. 
All  necessary  waste  pipes  must  also  be  provided.  "Water  must  also  be  conveyed  to  the  sink  and  range  in  the  kitchen,  and 
conveyed  from  the  boiler  thence  wherever  required.  All  necessary  stop-cocks  must  be  provided,  those  in  the  chambers 
being  silver  plated.    The  whole  must  be  executed  in  the  best  manner  and  every  thing  furnished  to  make  it  complete. 

COOKING  RANGE. — A  large  sized  cooking-range  must  be  placed  in  the  kitchen,  with  water  back  and  a  circulating 
boiler  attached.    It  must  be  of  the  best  and  most  approved  construction. 

FURNACE,  &c. — Place  one  of  Fox's  and  one  of  Chilson's  No.  5  furnaces  in  the  cases  prepared  in  the  cellar.  The 
register  in  the  drawing  room  is  to  be  ten  by  sixteen  inches,  that  in  the  hall  nine  by  fourteen  inches,  those  in  the  parlor, 
library  and  office,  eight  by  twelve  inches,  and  that  in  the  dining  room  nine  by  fourteen  inches.  There  are  to  be  eight  in 
the  second  story  eight  by  twelve  inches  each.  Those  in  the  drawing  room,  dining  room,  hall  and  parlor,  must  be  silver- 
plated,  all  others  must  be  enameled. 

FINALLY. — All  the  above  work  must  be  executed  and  completed  in  the  best  workmanlike  manner,  according  to  the 
general  intent  and  meaning  of  this  specification,  and  in  all  parts,  not  herein  described,  according  to  the  working  drawings ; 
the  work  being  subject  at  all  times  to  the  decision  of  the  Architect. 


DESIGN  FOR  A  CEILING. 

Upon  the  opposite  page  we  present  a  design  for  a  ceiling.  It  may  be  executed  either  in  stucco  or  fresco,  but  in  the 
latter  case  the  principal  panels  must  be  retained  in  order  to  aid  the  effect  of  the  painting.  The  details  of  this  design 
together  with  an  extended  account  of  this  kind  of  decoration  will  be  given  in  another  part  of  the  work.  The  proportions 
are  four  by  six. 


PI  YLV/I 


Des"*  by  Sam1  Sloan  Arch* 


THE  CONTRACT. 


HE  working  drawings,  specification,  and  bill  of  quantities,  are  examined  by  the  contractor, 
who  then  makes  his  estimate  and  bids  for  the  work.    The  successful  bidder  enters  into  a 
formal  contract  with  the  projector  who,  as  a  general  thing,  submits  to  him  the  whole  work 
and  pays  for  it  by  instalments.    This  is  the  usual  and  best  arrangement  for  such  buildings  as  are 
herein  described,  but  sometimes  parts  of  the  work  are  performed  under  separate  contracts.    For  very 
large  buildings,  such  as  heavy  public  works,  many  other  arrangements  are  necessary,  but  we  refer 
only  to  such  as  are  within  our  limits.    The  minutia3  of  an  agreement  are  varied  by  different  circumstances, 
and  being  innumerable,  we  cannot  comprise  them  here.     We  simply  insert  a  usual  form  of  contract, 
drawn  up  by  a  member  of  the  Philadelphia  bar,  which  may  be  relied  upon  for  its  accuracy.    The  italicised 
words  must  be  changed  in  using. 

ARTICLES  OF  AGREEMENT  made  this,  the  first  day  of  December,  Anno  Domini,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
fifty-one,  by  and  between  Richard  Roe,  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia  and  State  of  Pennsylvania,  Merchant,  of  the  first 
part,  and  John  Doe,  of  the  city  of  Camden  and  State  of  New  Jersey,  Builder,  of  the  second  part,  as  follows,  viz  : — 

The  said  party  of  the  second  part,  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  covenants  and  agreements  hereinafter  mentioned, 
doth  for  himself,  his  executors,  administrators  and  assigns,  covenant,  promise  and  agree  to  and  with  the  said  party  of 
the  first  part,  his  executors,  administrators  and  assigns,  that  he  the  said  John  Doe,  shall  and  will,  within  the  space  of 
nine  calendar  months  next  ensuing  the  date  hereof,  to  wit :  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  September,  Anno  Domini, 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-two,  in  good  and  workmanlike  manner,  and  according  to  the  best  of  his  art  and  skill, 
well  and  substantially  erect,  build,  set  up,  and  deliver  to  the  said  party  of  the  first  part,  or  his  legally  authorized  agent, 
free  and  discharged  of  all  claims,  liens,  and  charges  whatsoever,  or  cause  to  be  erected,  built,  set  up,  finished  and  delivered 
as  abovementioned,  on  a  lot  or  piece  of  ground,  situate  and  being,  (here  insert  the  description  as  contained  in  the  deed, 
and  designate  the  part  of  the  lot  the  house  is  to  occupy,)  one  house,  messuage  or  tenement,  according  to  the  plan,  draft  or 
scheme,  with  specifications  annexed,  made,  drawn,  and  furnished  by  Samuel  Sloan,  Architect,  the  contents  whereof  are 
as  follows,  viz: — (here  insert  the  plans,  &c,  or  refer  to  them  by  numbers  or  letters,  and  affix  them  to  these  articles,  as  in 
case  of  difficulty  under  the  contract,  they  alone  can  decide.)  And  the  said  party  of  the  second  part  further  agrees,  for 
himself,  his  executors,  administrators  and  assigns,  to  furnish,  at  his  own  proper  cost  and  charge,  all  the  materials  which 
may  be  requisite  for  the  construction  of  the  aforesaid  house,  messuage  or  tenement,  according  to  the  plans  and  specifica- 
tions aforesaid;  and  to  ensure  on  his  part  the  performance  of  this  part  of  these  presents,  it  is  further  agreed,  that  John 

l\     Whiteacre,  of  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  Carpenter,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  appointed  superintendent,  who  shall  (j 

14  53  C\ 


v 


54 


THE  CONTRACT. 


have  power  to  inspect,  and  accept  or  reject  any  work  done,  or  materials  it  may  be  proposed  to  use  in  or  about  tho  con- 
struction of  the  house  aforesaid,  and  whose  decision  shall  be  final  and  conclusive,  as  between  these  parties. 

And  the  said  Richard  Roe,  the  party  of  the  first  part,  as  aforesaid,  in  consideration  of  the  above  premises,  doth  for 
himself,  his  executors,  administrators  and  assigns,  covenant,  promise  and  agree,  well  and  truly  to  pay,  or  cause  to  be  paid 
unto  the  said  party  of  the  second  part,  his  executors,  administrators  or  assigns,  the  sum  of  Eight  Thousand  Dollars,  good 
and  lawful  money  of  the  coin  of  the  United  States,  in  three  several  payments,  in  manner  following,  to  wit : — 

On  the  first  day  of  March,  Anno  Domini,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-two,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  the  walla 
shall  have  been  completed,  the  sum  of  Two  Thousand  Dollars. 

On  the  first  day  of  April,  Anno  Domini,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-two,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  the  floors 
shall  have  been  laid,  the  partitions  set,  lathed  and  scratch  coated,  the  sum  of  Three  Thousand  Dollars. 

On  the  first  day  of  September,  Anno  Domini,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty-two,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  tho 
building  aforesaid,  shall  have  been  delivered  as  aforesaid,  the  sum  of  Three  Thousand  Dollars. 

And  it  is  further  agreed  between  the  aforesaid  parties,  that  all  alterations  of  the  annexed  plan  and  specifications,  by 
which  the  costs  of  building  may  be  either  increased  or  diminished,  shall  be  endorsed  on  these  articles,  and  signed  by  the 
parties,  before  they  shall  be  deemed  binding  on  either  party. 

And  for  the  performance  of  all  and  every  the  articles  and  agreements  abovementioned,  the  said  Richard  Roe  and 
John  Doe,  do  hereby  severally  bind  themselves,  their  executors,  administrators  and  assigns,  each  to  the  other,  in  the 
penal  sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Dollars,  good  and  lawful  money  as  aforesaid,  firmly  by  these  presents. 

In  witness  whereof,  the  said  parties  have  hereunto  set  their  hands  and  seals,  the  day  and  year  aforesaid. 

RICHARD  ROE, 


%  *  *  5jC  #  #  5|C 

^  SKAL,  ^ 

■jt   ^  ■fc  .(^  ^.  .fi 


JOHN  DOE. 


J  SEAL.  * 


SIGNED  AND  SEALED 

IN  THE  PRESENCE  OF 

SAMUEL  WILLIAMS, 
THOMAS  RICHARDS. 

For  the  faithful  performance  of  all  and  singular  the  covenants,  agreements  and  promises,  contained  in  the  above  arti- 
cles, on  the  part  of  John  Doe,  the  party  of  the  second  part  aforesaid,  we  do  hereby  jointly  and  severally  bind  ourselves, 
our  executors,  administrators  and  assigns,  to  the  aforesaid  Richard  Roe,  his  executors,  administrators  or  assigns. 

Witness  our  hands  and  seals,  the  day  and  year  aforesaid. 


SIGNED  AND  SEALED 

IN  THE  PRESENCE  OF 

SAMUEL  WILLIAMS, 
THOMAS  RICHARDS. 


JAMES  SMITH, 
RICHARD  JONES. 


*  SEAL.  £ 


J  SEAL.  * 


The  above  contract  is  complete,  and  may  readily  be  adapted  to  suit  circumstances.  Great  care,  how- 
ever, must  be  exercised  in  making  alterations  or  additions,  as  a  false  expression  might  render  the 
whole  invalid.  In  the  appointment  of  a  superintendent  or  referee,  other  articles  must  be  signed  by  him 
and  the  parties,  binding  him  for  a  consideration  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  obligations.  Most  fre- 
quently this  appointment  is  superfluous,  the  work  being  inspected  by  the  owner  in  person.    It  is  only  in 


A   PLAIN    AND    ORNAMENTED  VILLA. 

DESIGN  ELEVENTH. 

Two  front  elevations  of  this  design  are  presented  on  plates  XL VIII.  and  XLIX.  They  are  spoken  of  as  the  same 
design,  because  their  breadth,  depth,  and  general  features  are  similar,  and  the  same  floor  plans  are  used  for  both.  The 
first  of  these  elevations  is  quite  plain,  being  almost  destitute  of  ornament,  but  at  the  same  time  so  finished  as  to  avoid  a 
barren  appearance.  The  second  on  the  other  hand  is  highly  ornamented,  and  a  half  story  higher  than  the  first,  thus  giving 
a  commodious  garret,  the  circular  windows  of  which  may  be  seen  over  those  of  the  second  story.  The  observatory  of  this 
elevation  is  covered,  and  might  be  arranged  without  a  floor,  so  as  to  give  additional  light  and  ventilation  to  the  garret 
rooms.  The  garret  or  loft  is  approached  in  each  by  a  flight  of  stairs,  over  those  leading  to  the  second  story.  Tho 
cellar  door  is  beneath  the  main  stairway,  and  the  windows  are  on  the  sides  of  the  building.  The  elevations  are  drawn  in 
a  scale  of  ten  feet  to  the  inch.  The  design  is  best  adapted  to  a  village  or  suburban  dwelling.  "We  have  presented  the 
extremes  of  plainness  and  decoration,  so  that  any  desirable  medium  may  be  attained. 

On  plate  L.  are  the  floor  plans  of  the  design.  The  house  is  intended  to  be  warmed  cither  by  stoves  or  by  a  furnace 
beneath  the  hall.  The  flues  for  heated  air  are  in  the  cross  partitions,  and  the  gas  flues  arc  at  the  sides  of  tho  building, 
giving  a  sufficient  breadth  of  projection  for  mantles.  The  recess  in  the  dining  room,  next  the  vestibule,  is  a  convenient 
situation  for  a  sideboard.  The  parlor  and  library  are  separated  by  sliding  doors.  It  would  be  as  well,  perhaps,  to 
reverse  the  steps  and  have  them  begin  against  the  rear  wall,  thus  presenting  a  better  appearance  from  the  hall.  A 
convenient  back  porch  might  be  placed  in  the  rear  or  at  the  side  of  the  kitchen,  which  might  be  built  two  stories  high, 
and  thus  give  an  additional  chamber.  The  two  windows  of  the  first  and  second  story,  in  the  rear  of  the  stairway,  servo 
to  admit  more  light  to  the  passage  below  and  the  hall  above,  but  might  be  dispensed  with. 


A    PLAIN    AND    ORNAMENTED    VILLA.  55  ^5 

case  the  work  be  at  a  distance  or  so  extensive  as  to  require  constant  attendance,  that  the  owner  need 
make  the  transfer.  If  there  are  any  reservations  made  by  either  party,  they  should  be  endorsed  upon 
the  articles  of  agreement.  The  security  of  the  party  of  the  first  part  is  in  the  same  form  as  that  given, 
the  names  of  the  parties  being  reversed.  When  the  work  is  complete,  it  is  essential  that  the  owner 
receive  a  release  "  of  all  claims,  liens,  or  charges  whatsoever,"  signed  by  each  and  every  person  who  either 
may  have  furnished  material  for  the  building,  or  who  may  have  done  any  labor  in  its  erection ;  other- 
wise, after  the  business  between  himself  and  the  contractor  be  finally  closed,  he  may  be  compelled  to 
liquidate  claims  which  the  other  has  failed  to  discharge. 

The  business  of  entering  into  and  fulfilling  such  a  contract  is  by  no  means  easy,  and  inexcusable 
carelessness  in  this  is  the  cause  of  innumerable  lawsuits.  By  using  the  above  form,  and  exercising 
judgment  and  care  in  its  adaptation,  no  difficulty  need  be  apprehended. 


56  A   PLAIN   AND    ORNAMENTED  VILLA. 

Plate  LI.  is  of  details.  Fig.  1,  is  the  cornice,  cave  ornaments,  &c,  of  the  ornamented  front.  Fig.  2,  details  of  the 
porch  and  front  door.  Fig.  3,  section  of  the  same.  Fig.  4,  front  window,  with  a  section  heside  it  of  double  size. 
Fig.  a,  section  of  the  architrave  of  the  front  door.    Fig.  b,  section  of  the  front  door  lintel    Fig  c,  section  of  the  door  rail. 

Plate  LII.  also  consists  of  details.  Fig.  1,  observatory  of  the  ornamented  front.  Fig.  2,  section  of  the  same.  Fig.  3, 
observatory  of  the  plain  front.  Fig.  4,  cornice  of  the  same.  Fig.  5,  section  of  the  cornice.  Fig.  6,  details  of  the 
front  porch.    Figs.  7,  8,  and  9,  a  design  for  a  mantel. 

The  first  story  of  this  design  is  twelve  feet  and  eight  inches  from  floor  to  floor,  and  the  second  story  is  ten  feet  in  the 
clear.  The  cellar,  throughout  the  entire  extent  of  the  main  building,  is  eight  feet  deep  in  the  clear,  and  the  trenches  for 
the  foundations  are  at  least  six  inches  deep  below  the  cellar  bottom,  and  those  for  the  porch  and  kitchen  are  two  feet  deep. 

The  walls  of  the  cellar  are  eighteen  inches  thick,  and  those  of  the  first  and  second  stories  are  sixteen  inches  thick.  The 
foundations  of  the  kitchen  and  porch  are  also  sixteen  inches  thick.  All  are  composed  of  good  quarry  building  stone  and 
the  best  mortar.  The  foundation  course  is  large  flat  stone  solidly  bedded  in  mortar.  All  facings  are  smooth-dashed,  and 
those  of  the  cellar  lime-washed.  All  gas  flues  are  of  brick  well  pargetted.  There  are  two  cross  walls  of  brick  in  the 
cellar,  immediately  beneath  the  main  partitions  above,  having  arched  openings. 

The  kitchen  is  framed  and  closely  boarded,  for  painting  and  sanding,  to  appear  like  the  walls  of  the  main  building.  It 
also  might  be  built  of  stone  or  of  brick,  but  this  would  increase  the  cost  of  the  whole. 

The  joists  of  the  first  floor  are  three  by  twelve  inches,  of  spruce  pine.  Those  of  the  second  are  three  by  eleven  inches, 
of  hemlock.  Those  of  the  third  are  three  by  ten  inches,  and  also  of  hemlock.  Those  of  the  porch  floor  are  three  by 
nine  inches,  and  those  of  the  ceiling  are  three  by  five  inches.  All  are  placed  sixteen  inches  between  centres.  The  side 
rafters  are  three  by  five  inches,  and  the  hip  rafters,  with  the  framing  rafters  at  the  corners,  are  three  by  ten  inches.  They 
are  placed  two  feet  between  centres,  and  are  closely  sheathed  for  tin.  The  wall  plates  and  the  ridge  piece  are  three  by 
twelve  inches.    The  doors  and  windows  are  to  have  lintels  six  by  six  inches,  extending  nine  inches  into  the  walls. 

The  floors  within  are  of  Carolina  heart  pine,  and  that  of  the  porch  is  of  white  pine,  laid  with  white  lead  in  the  joints. 
The  washboard  of  the  first  story  main  building  is  eight  inches  wide,  with  a  three  inch  sub  and  two  inch  moulding,  that  of 
the  second  is  six  inches  wide,  with  a  sub  and  moulding,  and  that  of  the  kitchen  is  four  inches  .wide,  with  plain  moulding. 

The  window  frames  of  the  main  building  are  all  similar  in  construction,  having  sash  one  inch  and  a  half  thick,  double 
hung.  Those  of  the  first  story  have  paneled  shutters,  and  those  above  have  pivot  blinds,  both  being  one  inch  and  a  half 
thick,  and  hung  with  strong  hooks  and  straps.  The  front  doors  are  two  inches  thick,  and  all  other  doors  below  are  one 
inch  and  three-quarters  thick,  except  the  closet  doors,  which  are  one  inch  and  a  half  thick.  The  room  doors  of  the 
second  story  are  one  inch  and  a  half,  and  those  of  the  closets  are  one  inch  and  a  quarter  thick.  All  knobs  in  the  first 
story  are  of  white  porcelain,  and  those  in  the  second  are  mineral.  The  window  and  door  dressings  in  the  first  story  are 
six  inch  diminished  pilasters,  with  a  two  and  a  half  inch  moulded  band.    The  windows  above  have  plastered  jambs. 

Beside  the  usual  plastering,  the  parlor,  hall,  library  and  dining  room  have  appropriate  cornices  and  centre  flowers. 
All  the  exterior  of  the  main  building  is  to  be  rough-cast,  tinted  and  pointed.  The  roofs  of  the  main  building,  porch  and 
kitchen  are  tin,  painted  on  both  sides,  the  upper  receiving  two  coats.  In  all  other  respects  the  house  is  handsomely 
and  completely  finished,  with  various  modern  improvements. 

The  cost  of  the  building,  with  the  plain  front,  as  estimated  from  a  bill  of  items,  would  be  about  $2500 ;  the  cost  of  the 
other  would  be  $3400. 


Sam1  Sloan  Arch*  P  S  Duval*  Shun      prtis  PK  . 


Design  XI  PL  XLIX 


Sam1  Sin  in  Kk«  P  $  Duval  I  Steam 


toils;  samss  ©^^mosot^d). 


I)eSi(/ri  XI. 


H<><>f 


L  .  I 

FIRST  STORY. 


Stale  10  Feet  to  the  inch 

w  9  1  ;  I  i  4  H  I  o  io  so  9t 
M"-it  in,  t    — t-     --  ■  >  *■ 


Design  XI.  Pl.Lf. 


THE  EXCAVATIONS. 


CELLAR  well  lighted  and  ventilated  is  a  great  convenience  in  any  dwelling.  It  is  some- 
times finished  as  a  basement  story,  and  contains  the  kitchen,  laundry,  and  store  rooms.  Out- 
houses are  often  used  for  these  purposes,  but  even  then,  in  this  climate,  a  cellar  is  almost 
1  indispensible.  At  the  present  day  dwellings  are  warmed  by  heated  air,  it  being  found  the  cheapest, 
as  well  as  the  most  salubrious  method,  and  the  furnace  for  this  purpose  cannot  be  well  placed  else- 
where. The  various  apartments  serve  for  the  storage  of  fuel  and  vegetables,  which  are  here  secure 
from  the  effects  of  dampness  and  frost.  Besides  this,  it  brings  the  foundations  upon  deep,  firm  ground,  and 
thus  enhances  the  stability  of  the  building.  Many  advantages  may  be  obtained  by  building  upon  a  decli- 
vity, and  the  excavation,  for  reasons  mentioned  hereafter,  should  always  be,  if  possible,  throughout  the 
entire  extent  of  the  foundation. 

The  greatest  objection  to  cellars,  or  basement  stories,  is  the  damp  to  which  they  are  usually  subject. 
It  is  best  to  examine  well  the  contour  and  nature  of  the  grounds  before  excavating,  to  avoid  earth 
constantly  wet,  and  springs,  which  are  a  source  of  great  trouble  when  once  opened.  Unless  there  be  some 
such  extraordinary  cause,  there  need  be  no  dampness  whatever.  The  cellar  walls  may  be  so  constructed  or 
coated  as  to  be  quite  impervious.  This  object  may  be  attained  more  perfectly  by  also  laying  the  pavement 
in  hydraulic  cement,  or,  if  the  cellar  be  floored,  the  sleepers  should  be  bedded  in  concrete,  thus  preserving 
them  from  moisture  and  rot,  which  is  at  once  disagreeable  and  unwholesome. 

In  preparing  trenches  for  the  foundations  much  care  is  requisite.  If  the  building  be  without  a  cellar, 
they  should  be  so  deep  that  the  bottom  will  not  be  subject  to  the  contraction  and  expansion  caused  by 
variations  of  temperature.  But  there  are  two  things  which,  in  all  cases,  are  especially  to  be  provided 
against, — the  unequal  settling  of  the  superstructure,  and  the  lateral  escape  of  the  support.  It  cannot  be  too 
much  impressed  upon  the  mind,  that  the  object  is  not  so  much  to  prevent  settling  as  that  it  may  be  uni- 
form throughout  the  structure.  If  this  last  be  the  case  then  no  evil  consequences  can  ensue,  but  if  this 
settling,  which  it  is  impossible  wholly  to  prevent,  be  irregular,  then  the  walls  of  the  building  will  inevi- 
tably crack,  and  present  those  fissures,  which  impair  both  the  beauty  and  the  stability  of  the  building. 
Hence  the  bottom  of  the  trenches  should  be  in  the  same  stratum  throughout,  and  the  ground  should  be 
well  examined  before  building,  to  see  that  it  is  a  uniform  and  firm  bed,  or  else  it  is  impossible  to  avoid 
bad  results.    The  bottom  of  the  trenches  should  also  be  on  the  same  level,  if  practicable,  for  when  the 

15  57 


P     58  THE  EXCAVATIONS. 

contour  of  the  ground  requires  it  to  be  '  benched  out/  the  unequal  yielding  cannot  so  certainly  be  prevented. 
It  must  also  be  kept  in  mind  that  not  only  does  the  support  generally  yield,  but  the  walls  themselves 
settle  more  or  less.  In  the  walls,  the  most  settling  occurs  where  there  are  the  greatest  number  of  mortar 
joints,  and  hence  although  the  prime  support  may  be  perfectly  firm,  yet  an  irregular  surface,  giving 
the  walls  different  heights,  may  cause  them  to  crack.  It  is  for  this  reason  that  the  cellar  had  better  be 
throughout  the  building,  for  otherwise  the  foundations  will  rest  on  different  levels. 

As  might  be  supposed,  the  best  support  for  a  foundation  is  a  bed  of  rock,  but  this  is  only  the  case 
where  it  has  a  level  surface,  either  natural  or  artificial.  The  difficulty  of  obtaining  a  perfectly  level 
bed  of  rock,  and  the  expense  of  leveling  it  render  this  support  infrequent;  yet  we  cannot  see  why  good 
concrete,  composed  of  coarse  gravel  and  a  little  lime,  which  when  once  set  is  entirely  incompressible, 
might  not  be  used  for  reducing  all  irregularities  of  surface,  and  form  an  excellent  support  for  building. 
But,  taking  all  things  into  consideration,  perhaps  the  best  support  for  a  foundation  is  a  uniform  bed  of 
compact  gravel.  Such  a  bed  yields  very  little,  and  is  not  liable  to  be  affected  by  air  or  moisture,  and 
hence  the  excavation  should  be  continued  to  such  an  one  if  it  be  attainable.  Sand,  which  is  incompres- 
sible would  be  equally  good,  were  it  not  so  easily  affected  by  water,  and  therefore  cannot  be  used  with 
safety.  Clay  is  very  bad,  as  it  escapes  laterally,  and  is  subject  to  great  contraction  and  expansion.  We 
sometimes  meet  in  excavating  a  bed  of  shale,  which,  when  first  uncovered,  is  as  hard  as  stone,  but  after  a 
little  exposure  runs  into  sludge.  This  must  be  avoided  if  possible,  but  when  it  cannot,  care  must  be  taken 
to  expose  it  but  little,  by  covering  it  at  once  with  concrete,  and  building  immediately.  Good  firm  earth 
forms  an  excellent  support,  but  as  it  yields  considerably  it  must  be  built  on  with  care.  By  a  judicious 
use  of  concrete,  a  good  foundation  may  be  secured  in  almost  any  situation,  and  it  is  an  excellent  practice 
to  build  the  foundations  as  high  as  the  first  tier  of  joists,  and  let  them  remain  in  this  state  for  a  season 
before  erecting  the  superstructure.  They  then  have  time  to  become  firmly  fixed,  and  any  failing  may  be 
remedied  before  the  other  walls  are  erected. 

The  only  other  excavations  of  importance  which  are  usually  made  about  a  dwelling,  are  for  the  conveyance 
and  reception  of  refuse  matter.  The  accumulation  of  filth  about  even  the  most  cleanly  dwelling,  if  there  be 
no  systematic  and  effectual  plan  for  its  removal,  is  such  as  to  be  not  only  in  the  highest  degree  unpleasant 
but  also  noxious.  The  usual  way  is  to  construct  the  privy  distinct,  at  a  short  distance  from  the  house, 
and  to  throw  the  offal  of  the  kitchen  into  a  vessel  for  subsequent  removal,  or  to  allow  it  to  pass  off  in  a 
surface  gutter.  In  building  with  the  modern  improvements,  however,  the  water-closet  is  generally  placed 
within  doors,  over  a  well,  into  which  the  offal  is  also  allowed  to  pass.  The  well,  in  this  case,  should 
always  be  excavated  to  the  water  gravel,  which  to  a  great  extent,  absorbs  and  carries  off  its  contents. 
There  are,  however,  many  objections  to  this  plan  as  experience  has  shown,  and  a  little  reflection  Avill 
suggest.  A  much  better  way  is  to  convey  all  offal  through  pipes  to  an  underground  drain,  which  con- 
/-)     ducts  to  a  stream,  cess-pool,  or  well.   If  a  stream  be  near  of  sufficient  size,  it  forms  a  ready  and  effectual 

i 


i 


*  THE   EXCAVATIONS.  59cji 

means  of  removal.  But  sewage  of  every  description  is  a  most  excellent  manure.  It  is  of  the  greatest  ^ 
importance  to  a  farmer,  or  to  those  who  cultivate  even  small  gardens,  and  hence  should  be  preserved  for  the 
purpose.  To  effect  this,  it  may  be  received  in  a  cess-pool  at  a  distance  from  the  house,  or  better  in  a 
well,  for  the  open  pool  is  an  unsightly,  offensive  and  unwholesome  object,  but  a  well  is  not  so  when 
covered  over  deeply  by  soil.  The  well  in  this  case  also  should  be  excavated  to  the  water  gravel,  that 
the  liquids  may  be  absorbed.  If,  however,  the  manure  be  of  the  highest  importance,  as  it  would  be  to  a 
farmer,  the  cess-pool  lined  with  clay  is  perhaps  better,  for  then  the  liquids  evaporate,  and  the  soluble 
matter,  which  is  the  most  valuable,  is  retained. 

It  is  important  that  the  drain  for  the  conduction  of  this  refuse  matter  should  be  well  constructed.  The 
point  of  discharge  at  the  foot  should  be  carefully  finished,  and  the  head  should  have  a  good  syphon,  or 
other  trap,  which  will  allow  of  the  free  entrance  of  any  matter,  and  at  the  same  time  prevent  the  escape 
of  noisome  gases.  This  drain  should  in  all  cases  have  a  continuous  fall  of  one  inch  in  forty  or  fifty,  so 
that  the  water  may  not  remain  in  it,  but  descend  with  sufficient  impetuosity  to  bear  along  all  solid  matter, 
and  thereby  prevent  choking,  by  keeping  the  drain  well  washed.  It  should  not  be  so  small  as  to  detain 
solid  matter,  nor  again  so  large  as  to  make  a  shallow  stream,  for  then,  in  consequence  of  increased  friction 
the  stream  is  sluggish.  A  diameter  of  from  four  to  six  inches  is  amply  sufficient  to  drain  any  ordinary 
dwelling.  When  other  material  can  be  obtained,  it  is  not  well  to  use  bricks  in  the  construction  of  a  drain, 
for  their  roughness  adds  greatly  to  the  friction  of  the  descending  matter,  and  in  consequence  of  their  per- 
meability the  earth  adjacent  becomes  damp  and  offensive.  The  best  and  cheapest  drains  are  made  of 
earthenware  pipes,  glazed  inside,  which  at  once  lessens  the  friction  and  renders  them  impermeable.  They 
are  in  short  pieces  with  socket  joints,  or  of  a  conical  shape,  so  as  to  fit  each  other,  and  are  put  together 
with  a  little  cement.  It  is  evident  that  any  bends  in  such  drains  are  to  be  avoided  if  possible. 
Altogether,  this  subject  is  one  of  the  greatest  consideration  in  the  erection  of  a  cleanly  and  comfortable 
dwelling,  but  does  not,  we  think,  always  receive  that  attention  which  its  importance  demands. 


A  DESIGN    FOR    A  COTTAGE. 
DESIGN  TWELFTH. 

On  Plate  LIII.  is  presented  the  front  elevation  of  a  Cottage  more  simple  and  cheap  than  any  preceding  one.    It  is  of 
frame  work,  vertically  weather-boarded,  the  joints  being  cleated  with  narrow  strips.    Plate  LIV.  is  numbered  as  the  same 
design,  because  of  its  similarity  in  general  features,  and  because  the  proportions  arc  such  that  the  same  floor  plan  would 
apply  to  either.    It  is,  however,  without  an  attic  floor,  which  the  one  above  has,  and  in  general  is  cheaper  and  plainer  |!j 
than  the  other.    They  are  both  in  a  scale  of  ten  feet  to  the  inch. 


60  A    DESIGN   FOR   A  COTTAGE. 

Plate  LV.  exhibits  two  sets  of  ground  plans,  which  may  be  used  interchangably  for  cither  of  the  accompanying  eleva- 
tions, the  one  on  the  right  being  the  most  simple.  The  other  has  a  back  building  two  stories  high,  thus  rendering  it 
necessary  to  light  the  hall  up  stairs  by  means  of  the  front  window.  The  stairs  to  the  attic  are  immediately  over  the  main 
stairway.    The  house  may  be  warmed  either  by  stoves  or  a  furnace. 

On  Plate  LVI.  are  the  details.  Fig.  1,  finial  and  cornice,  with  a  section  of  the  gable  in  plate  LIII.  Fig.  2,  Tudor 
flower.  Fig.  3,  section  of  the  same.  Fig.  4,  cornice  and  eave  ornament.  Fig.  5,  section  of  the  same.  Fig.  6,  details 
of  the  front  porch  and  door.  Fig.  7,  section  of  the  door.  Fig.  8,  details  of  the  front  window.  Fig.  9,  gable  window  on 
plate  LIV.    Fig.  10,  section  of  the  same.    Fig.  11,  dormer  window.    Fig.  12,  section  of  the  same.    Fig.  13,  porch. 

In  the  subjoined  description  reference  is  made  to  plate  LIV.  in  connection  with  the  smaller  floor  plan,  for  which  also 
the  cost  is  estimated  in  the  bill  of  items.  There  is  a  cellar  under  the  main  building  five  feet  deep  from  the  natural  surface 
of  the  ground.  The  cellar  walls  are  of  stone,  sixteen  inches  thick  and  eight  feet  high,  to  the  top  of  the  first  tier  of 
joists.  The  joists  of  the  first  floor  are  three  by  twelve  inches,  those  of  the  second  three  by  ten  inches,  and  placed  sixteen 
inches  between  centres.  The  ridge  piece  is  three  by  twelve  inches,  and  the  rafters  are  eight  inches  at  the  foot,  of  the 
usual  rafter  cut,  and  placed  two  feet  between  centres.  The  main  sills  are  six  by  six  inches,  the  corner  posts  and  girts  are 
three  by  eight  inches,  the  plates  are  three  by  six  inches,  the  studding  and  braces  are  three  by  four  inches  and  sixteen 
inches  between  centres.  The  weather-boarding  is  all  uniformly  eleven  inches  wide,  grooved  together  and  the  joints  cleated, 
the  cleats  being  narrow  beveled  strips  terminating  in  pointed  arched  heads,  as  on  the  elevation.  The  whole  exterior  is 
painted  with  three  coats  of  good  paint  in  any  desirable  tint,  then  sanded  and  afterwards  repainted.  Otherwise,  the  house 
is  finished  in  a  plain  and  substantial  manner,  the  usual  arrangements  in  respect  to  construction  being  adopted  throughout. 


A   FULL  ESTIMATE 

OF  THE  COST  IN  ERECTING  DESIGN  TWELFTH. 

This  estimate  is  made  for  the  smallest  elevation,  in  connection  with  the  smallest  plan  of  the  two  given  above. 
diS'erence  of  cost  between  this  and  the  other  elevation  and  plan,  would  be  about  $550. 


The 


Excavation,  200  yds.  @  20  cts.          -          -  §40.00 

Stone,  91  perches  @  §2.00,  lime  and  sand  included,  182.00 

Plastering,  850  yds.  @  18  cts.,  including  material,  153.00 

Slate,  2000  superficial  feet  @  7  cts.    -        -       -  140.00 

Chimney-cans,  2  @  §5.00,   10.00 

Joists,  4800  feet  @  §12.50  per  M.       -       -       -  60.00 

Rafters,  2000  feet  @  §12.50  per  M.    -       -       -  25.00 

Studding,  7500  feet  @  §12.50  per  M.  -       -       -  93.75 

Framing  timber  (white  pine),  2100  ft.  @  §18  per  M.  37.80 

Sheathing  boards,  2000  feet  @  §9.00  per  M.        -  18.00 

Flooring  boards,  2300  feet  @  §27.00  per  M.        -  62.10 

Mather  boards,  5000  feet  @  §27.00  per  M.  -       -  135.00 

Carpenter  work,  220  days  @  §2.00,  -  -  -  440.00 
"Window  frames,  14,  with  sash  and  inside  shutters, 

delivered  at  the  building  @  §12.00,         -       -  168.00 

Window  frames  &c,  for  kitchen,  2,  @  §10.00,      -  20.00 


1584.65 


Doors  If  inches  thick,  5,  delivered  @  §3.25, 
Doors  1J  inches  thick,  11,  delivered  @  §2.25, 
Doors  1J  inches  thick,  4,  delivered  @  §2.00, 
Assorted  lumber,  4200  feet  @  §25.00  per  M. 
Stairs,  including  all  material,  ... 
Front  porch,  including  all  material, 
Back,  including  all  material,  - 
Tin,  for  gutters  and  conductors,  - 
Painting  and  glazing,  - 
Hardware,  including  locks,  &c,  &c, 


Total,  

Difference  between  the  elevations,  &c, 


16.25 
24.75 
8.00 
105.00 
90.00 
85.00 
35.00 
30.00 
160.00 
136.00 

690.00 
1584.65 

2274.65 
550.00 

2824.65 


o 


Design  XII. 


pj  Lin 


A// 


TTT 


Bed  Room. 
11   x    14  6 


Clos 

M 


Chamber. 
l!5    X    12  4 


■  fir  — 


CKam  be  r 
15   x  12  4 


Chamber 


Hall. 

8  x  20. 


SEC  OND       |  n's 

Clos  j 

STORY 


FIRST 


STORY 


in  j  a  7  e  s  ♦  3  i  i  i) 

r-ttM  \  M  1-1  1 


R< 


Chamber 
13  4    x  15. 


Chamber 
13  4  x  12  6 


SECOND 


3 


Parlor 
15  X  27 


FIRST 


Scale  10  heel  to  (he  inch 


— -\ 


Hall 
8  x  17 


Clos 


Chamber 

13  x    12  6. 


Chamber 

12  X  20  6. 


E 


STORY 


Q#  


Hall 

H  \  27 


Dming  Roorn 
15    X    21  [ 


MM 


STORY. 


=1 


P  S  DuvtJi  Sl«unhU>  PrMtPhiW  * 


THE  FOUNDATION. 


J^^^^^tf^/)FTER  preparing  the  excavations,  the  next  step  towards  building  is  to  lay  the  foundation. 

By  this  term  all  the  walls  as  high  as  the  first  tier  of  joists,  are  included.  It  must  be 
remembered  that  in  this  series  of  articles  no  more  is  treated  of  than  the  nature  of  our  work 
requires.  To  go  beyond  this  would  lead  into  discussion  of  points  unessential  in  the  erection  of  coun* 
try  dwellings.  Should  we  attempt,  for  instance,  to  give  a  complete  treatise  upon  foundations,  it  would 
lead  to  a  long  dissertation,  including  an  account  of  the  various  methods  pursued  in  laying  the  founda- 
tions of  such  vast  structures  as  prisons  and  forts,  and  also  of  such  as  are  erected  in  marshy  ground  or  in 
water,  such  as  light-houses,  bridges  and  docks.  We  should  have  to  discuss  tbe  various  topics  connected 
with  pile-driving,  coffer-dams,  caissons,  pierre  perdue  and  the  like.  All  this  would  be  quite  foreign  to  our 
purpose  and  require  much  more  space  than  we  have  apportioned  to  the  subject.  Let  it  be  understood 
then,  that  we  wish  merely  to  give  a  concise  yet  comprehensive  view  of  the  foundations  requisite  for  such 
buildings  as  are  described  in  this  work ;  yet  even  within  these  limits,  we  fear  our  space  will  not  permit 
an  entire  investigation  of  the  subject. 

In  the  article  upon  excavations  mention  was  made  of  concrete  as  a  valuable  aid  in  procuring  good 
foundations.  Little  attention  has  been  given  to  concrete  in  this  country,  at  least  for  such  small  structures 
as  dwelling  houses.  It  is  composed  of  stone  chips  or  coarse  gravel  mixed  with  lime  while  hot  from  slack- 
ing. Sometimes  the  lime  is  mixed  in  the  caustic  state  with  the  stone  or  gravel  and  water  then  poured 
upon  it.  This  practice  is  strongly  reprobated  by  the  most  experienced,  who  insist  that  it  is  far  better  for 
the  lime  to  be  brought  to  a  thick  paste  before  using.  It  may  also  be  made  into  a  mortar  by  mixing  with 
it  a  small  quantity  of  sand.  In  any  case  marble  chips  combined  with  hydraulic  lime,  are  the  best  materials 
that  can  be  used.  When  hydraulic  lime  is  used  in  combination,  instead  of  the  ordinary  lime,  the  mass  is 
usually  termed  b^ton. 

When  concrete  is  placed  in  its  position  it  should  be  rammed  until  the  mortar  begins  to  flush  out  at  the  top. 
This  then,  allowed  to  dry,  is  incompressible  and  firm,  and  gradually  becomes  converted  into  an  artificial 
stone.  It  is  evident  that  this  concrete  or  beton  can  only  be  used  when  it  has  a  support  at  tbe  sides.  It 
has  often  been  used  to  fill  between  inner  and  outer  courses  of  stone  where  the  walls  are  of  great  thickness. 
It  frequently  may  be  advantageously  placed  at  the  bottom  of  the  foundation  trenches,  thus  producing  a 
firm  and  uniform  bearing  surface.  Concrete  may  be  regarded  as  a  sort  of  imperfect  rubble  work,  and 
its  value  consists  in  becoming  quickly  'set,'  and  its  ready  self-adaptation  to  an  uneven  surface.  It 

16  CI 


< 


C2  THE  FOUNDATION. 

is  not  a  new  method  but  was  well  understood  by  the  accomplished  architects  of  the  middle  ages,  and  was 
in  use  among  the  Romans. 

The  material  best  adapted  for  the  foundation  wall  is  granite.  Its  durability/solidity  and  firmness  is  superior 
to  any  other,  and  if  laid  in  good  mortar,  of  which  we  are  to  speak  in  a  future  article,  it  will  last  for  centuries. 
Bricks  in  contact  with  moist  earth  are  liable  to  disintegration  and  are  therefore  unsafe,  so  that  of  what- 
ever material  the  superstructure  be  built,  whether  of  wood,  brick,  stone  or  marble,  it  is  best  to  have  the 
foundation  of  good  quarry  granite. 

Hewn  stone  is  the  best,  since  but  little  mortar  is  required,  and  in  consequence  of  its  flat  surfaces  the 
whole  weight  of  each  course,  bears  upon  that  immediately  beneath,  without  even  a  tendency  to  lateral 
pressure.  The  stone  which  splits  from  the  quarry  in  cubical  blocks  is  less  expensive  and  equally  good. 
But  when  neither  can  be  obtained,  an  excellent  foundation  may  be  formed  of  rubble  work.  The  greatest 
advantage  of  the  other  consists  in  having  fewer  and  smaller  mortar  joints,  and  hence  yielding  less  to  the 
superincumbent  weight.  If,  however,  the  foundation  is  to  be  of  rubble  work,  stones  should  be  selected 
having  at  least  two  surfaces  parallel,  which  when  laid  horizontally  form  an  excellent  firm  wall.  This 
precaution  is  essential,  because  stones  of  an  irregular  shape  tend  to  wedge  into  the  course  beneath,  and 
only  the  cementing  qualities  of  the  mortar  preserve  the  wall  from  being  destroyed.  We  refer  more 
particularly  here  to  such  parts  of  the  wall  as  are  above  ground  or  constitute  the  cellar  walls.  Another 
precaution  may  be  suggested.  Masons,  in  order  to  have  the  face  of  the  wall  look  well,  are  apt  to  lay  the 
largest  stones  on  the  exposed  side.  This  side  then,  in  setting,  yields  less  than  the  other,  and  hence  the 
wall  leans  or  is  weakened  by  cracks.  In  a  previous  article  we  mentioned  that  it  is  a  good  practice  to  allow 
the  foundations  to  remain  exposed  for  a  season  before  erecting  the  superstructure.  This  is  especially  true 
in  the  case  of  rubble  work,  thereby  giving  it  a  fair  opportunity  of  becoming  fixed. 

But  whatever  be  the  character  of  the  others,  the  first  course  should  be  laid  with  broad  flat  stone,  the 
largest  that  can  be  procured.  By  this  means  any  slight  irregularity  in  the  nature  of  the  bearing  stratum, 
may  be  avoided,  and  we  more  certainly  secure  that  uniformity  of  settling  which  is  so  desirable.  It  is  for 
this  that  concrete  or  beton  is  recommended.  Before  setting  it  yields  freely  and  adapts  itself  to  the  surface 
of  the  bearing  stratum,  and  afterwards  it  may  be  regarded  as  one  large  stone.  It  also  presses  laterally  and 
thus  distributes  the  weight  more.  To  this  end,  where  the  earth  is  firm  and  not  liable  to  the  action  of  water, 
a  layer  of  sand  at  the  bottom  of  the  foundation  trench  is  also  recommended. 

Where  the  ground  is  treacherous,  Ave  must  resort  to  some  expedient  to  throw  the  weight  of  the  building 
upon  a  deep  firm  stratum.  This  may  be  done  by  driving  piles  at  short  distances  from  each  other,  and  by 
springing  arches  in  the  walls,  from  one  to  the  other.  The  plan  is  also  recommended,  under  certain  circum- 
stances, of  boring  holes  at  different  points  and  refilling  them  with  sand  for  the  support  of  the  arches. 
Such  expedients  require  a  great  deal  of  care  and  skill,  and  are  only  requisite  in  extreme  cases,  seldom  being 
necessary  for  dwellings. 


THE  FOUNDATION.  Go 
A  much  more  important  matter,  is  the  footing.  To  produce  this  we  lay  the  first  course  much  broader 
than  the  intended  thickness  of  the  wall,  and  gradually  narrow  each  succeeding  course  until  the  requisite 
thickness  is  attained.  By  this  means  we  give  the  wall  greater  strength  in  resisting  any  lateral  force 
which  may  bear  against  it,  such  as  the  wind,  and  hence  it  is  of  importance  in  the  erection  of  towers.  But 
a  much  more  essential  advantage  is  gained  thereby,  in  distributing  the  weight  over  a  greater  surface  of  the 
bearing  stratum.  The  walls  of  St.  Paul's  Cathedral,  in  London,  are  to  this  day  uninjured  and  firm,  although 
they  are  erected  on  a  bed  of  clay,  only  from  ten  to  twenty  feet  thick,  overlying  a  quick-sand.  The  most 
important  points  in  the  construction  of  footings  are  to  build  them  of  the  largest  blocks,  and  to  keep  the  back 
joints  as  far  from  the  exterior  as  possible.  It  is  also  desirable  to  give  as  little  projection  to  the  footing 
courses  as  may  be  essential  to  the  end  in  view,  otherwise  a  very  slight  lateral  force  may  crack  them 
entirely  from  the  face  of  the  main  wall,  and  disastrous  consequences  ensue. 

It  may  appear  that  we  give  to  this  subject  more  attention  than  its  importance  demands,  and  recommend 
practices  which  are  unnecessary.  When  we  reflect,  however,  on  the  desirableness  of  a  firm  foundation,  we 
are  forced  to  believe  that  too  much  care  and  skill  cannot  be  exercised  in  its  construction.  How  often  are 
buildings,  which  were  intended  to  last  for  years,  found  cracked  from  top  to  bottom,  and  how  often  do  we 
hear  of  walls  actually  tumbling  and  crushing  the  workmen,  or  it  may  be,  if  later,  the  inmates  of  the  build- 
ing. The  vast  majority  of  these  accidents,  if  properly  inquired  into,  may  be  traced  to  a  defect  and  conse- 
quent movement  in  the  foundation.  Thus  are  those  unsightly  and  dangerous  fissures  produced,  or  it  may 
be,  the  wall  is  slightly  moved  from  its  perpendicular,  and  hence  either  falls  itself  or  yields  to  an  otherwise 
ineffective  lateral  force.  In  Great  Britain  and  throughout  Europe  much  more  attention  is  paid  to  this,  subject 
than  here,  and  this  is  one  principal  reason  why  buildings  there  so  far  surpass  ours  in  durability.  When 
building,  why  not  build  well;  why  not  erect  such  a  dwelling,  that  fifty  years  hence  it  will  still  be  valuable 
property  and  not  an  incumbrance  ?  In  even  twenty  or  thirty  years  many  of  our  houses  become  superan- 
nuated and  crazy,  while  those  in  the  old  world  remain,  valuable  legacies  to  posterity  and  interesting 
exemplars  of  their  times.  We  Americans  are  not  ashamed  that  we  have  nothing  now  venerable  in  years, 
but  we  may  fear  that  our  descendants  will  have  cause  so  to  be,  and  have  few  buildings  to  point  out, 
saying,  this  is  the  work  of  our  fathers. 


A  COTTAGE. 
DESIGN  THIRTEENTH. 

On  Plate  LVIIL  is  presented  the  perspective  view  of  a  cottage,  the  front  elevation  of  which  is  on  the  left  side  of  the  plate 
above.  \Vc  have  before  incidentally  remarked  upon  the  ease  with  which  every  man  may  make  his  home  pleasant,  not  only  by  its 
internal  convenience,  but  by  its  tasteful  appearance.  It  is  usually  considered  necessary,  in  order  to  build  in  good  taste,  that 
a  variety  of  ornaments  should  be  stuck  on  here  and  there,  even  when  they  may  be  entirely  unessential  in  the  construction 
of  the*building.  The  expense  attending  this,  has  usually  deterred  those  having  a  limited  amount  from  even  attempting  to 
give  their  buildings  a  handsome  appearance.  But  we  beg  leave  to  state,  that  this  general  opinion  is  a  very  great  mistake, 
and  are  happy  in  believing  that  it  is  becoming  less  prevalent.  Vie  must  remember  that  the  first  element  of  architectural 
beauty,  is  graceful  proportion.  Even  the  plainest  house  will  please,  or  at  least  cannot  displease,  when  its  proportions  are 
good ;  but  when  they  are  not,  nothing  can  save  it  from  just  censure.  Ornaments  we  may  divide  into  two  classes. 
Features  which  belong  essentially  to  the  building,  and  are  made  ornamental  by  giving  them  shape  and  finish,  such  as  the 
chimney  tops,  shingles,  the  ends  of  the  rafters,  brackets,  and  we  may  mention  in  this  design  the  cleats  of  the  weather- 
boarding.  To  make  these  contribute  to  the  appearance  of  a  building,  but  little  expense  is  necessary.  The  other  class  of 
ornaments  are  those  which  are  not  essential  to  the  building,  but  which  suggest  at  once  to  the  mind  a  need  which  they 
appear  to  supply.  In  this  class  we  may  include  a  great  many  brackets,  which  apparently  yield  support  to  parts  which  do 
not  really  require  it  of  them.  Either  of  these  two  classes  of  ornaments  may  be  enriched  by  mouldings  or  carvings  which 
every  where  must  thus  be  made  subordinate. 

By  using  good  proportions,  and  the  first  clas3  of  ornaments,  we  may  display  great  taste  in  a  buiMing,  and  make  it  please 
the  eye  much,  without  additional  expense.  Hence  we  hold  fast  to  the  opinion,  that  there  can  be  no  reason  for  putting  up 
those  bold,  bare  and  flat  houses,  which  unfortunately  are  everywhere.  We  have  endeavored  to  express  in  this  design  the 
above  thoughts,  and  venture  to  say  that  the  same  room  and  conveniences  could  not  be  obtained  by  the  same  methods  of 
construction  at  less  expense.    The  cost  of  the  building  finished  throughout,  would  be  about  two  thousand  dollars. 

On  left  side  of  Plate  LIX.  are  the  ground  plans  of  this  design.  Both  the  plans  and  elevations  are  in  a  scale  of  sixteen 
feet  to  the  inch.  The  house  is  quite  large  and  roomy  although  apparently  small,  which  is  because  of  the  reduced  scale,  and 
will  accommodate  a  family  of  ten  persons,  including  the  servants.  It  is  designed  to  be  warmed  by  grates,  but  in  a  cold 
climate  a  furnace  would  be  preferable.  It  may  be  observed  that  there  is  no  furring-out  marked  upon  the  plan  for  the  attic 
floor.  This  was  omitted  because  the  elevation  is  so  designed  that  the  outside  wall  extends  two  feet  above  this  floor.  As 
the  attic  rooms  however  are  quite  large  the  outside  walls  might  be  reduced  and  the  furring-out  easily  arranged. 

Plate  LX.  consists  of  details.    Fig.  1,  is  a  chimney-can.    Fig.  2,  is  the  gable  window.    Fig.  3,  a  section  of  the  same. 

Fig.  4,  the  finial  and  eave  ornament  of  the  gable  showing  a  section  of  the  cornice.    Fig.  5,  ornament  of  the  drip  eaves. 

Fig.  6,  front  porch.    Fig.  7,  section  of  the  same.    Fig.  8,  vestibule  bay  window.    Fig.  9,  section  of  the  same.    This  plate 

also  exhibits  a  side  elevation  of  the  design.    It  may  be  remarked  that  the  strong  contrast  of  white  and  black  lines  in  this 

gives  it  a  harsher  appearance  than  it  would  have  in  nature. 
04 


1 


A  COTTAGE 


SPECIFICATION 


65 


Of  the  labor  and  materials  to  be  used  in  the  erection  of  Design  Thirteenth. 

GENERAL  DESCRIPTION. — The  first  story  is  to  contain  a  parlor  fourteen  by  twenty-four  feet  in  the  clear,  a  hall  seven 
by  twenty-four  feet,  a  vestibule  seven  by  eleven  feet,  a  dining  room  eighteen  by  eighteen  feet,  and  a  kitchen  twelve  by  eighteen 
feet,  having  a  closet  between  it  and  the  dining  room  two  feet  and  six  inches  deep.  The  second  story  will  contain  three 
chambers,  one  fourteen  by  twenty-four  feet,  one  eighteen  by  eighteen  feet  and  one  twelve  by  eighteen  feet,  besides  a  bed 
room  seven  by  fourteen  feet.  The  attic  story  will  contain  three  chambers,  one  fourteen  by  twenty  four  feet,  one  eighteen  by 
twenty  four  feet  and  one  fifteen  by  eighteen  feet.  For  the  relative  position  of  these  rooms  reference  must  be  had  to  the 
plans.  The  first  story  is  to  be  twelve  feet  eight  inches  from  the  first  to  the  top  of  the  second  floor.  The  second  floor  is  to 
be  ten  feet  to  the  top  of  the  attic  floor,  the  attic  room3  are  to  be  seven  feet  and  six  inches  in  the  clear,  and  the  roof 
is  to  have  twenty  feet  pitch.  There  is  to  be  a  porch  on  the  front  eight  feet  wide  by  thirteen  feet  long,  and  one  on  the 
rear  seven  by  twenty-two  feet. 

EXCAVATIONS. — The  cellar  is  to  be,  throughout  the  entire  extent  of  the  building,  five  feet  deep  from  the  surface  of  the 
ground,  the  earth  therefrom  being  graded  around  the  building  as  hereafter  directed.  The  trenches  for  the  foundation  walls 
are  to  be  at  least  six  inches  below  the  bottom  of  the  cellar.  The  trenches  for  the  porch  foundations  are  to  be  of  sufficient 
depth  to  secure  them  from  the  effects  of  frost. 

MASONRY. — All  the  walls  of  the  cellar  must  be  composed  of  quarry  building  stone  of  a  good  quality.  Those  of  the 
first  course  must  be  large  and  flat  and  solidly  bedded  in  mortar.  These  walls  are  to  be  sixteen  inches  thick  throughout,  and 
eight  feet  six  inches  high  from  the  cellar  bottom.  The  mortar  for  this  masonry  must  be  composed  of  good  coarse  sharp 
sand  and  fresh  wood-burnt  lime  in  just  proportions.    All  facings  are  to  be  smoothly  dashed  and  afterwards  lime  washed. 

BRICK  WORK. — There  are  to  be  two  stacks  of  flues  emanating  from  the  cellar,  extending  Beyond  the  roof  and 
surmounted  with  terra  cotta  chimney-cans,  such  as  are  exhibited  on  the  plate  of  details.  Each  stack  is  to  contain  two  flues 
nine  by  thirteen  inches,  well  pargetted  within  and  constructed  of  good  sound  brick  laid  in  strong  mortar.  Their  positions 
must  be  taken  from  the  ground  plans.  All  piers  or  cross  walls  in  the  cellar,  for  the  support  of  the  joists,  must  be 
constructed  of  sound  brick  and  their  facings  smooth  dashed. 

FRAMING,  &c. — The  sills  of  the  outside  and  division  walls  are  to  be  six  by  six  inch  Norway  pine.  The  corner  posts 
and  girts  are  to  be  four  by  eight  inches  and  the  plates  are  to  be  four  by  six  inches,  all  of  white  pine.  The  intermediate 
braces  and  studding,  and  the  studding  throughout  the  partitions,  are  to  be  three  by  four  inches,  and  placed  sixteen  inches 
between  centres.  The  whole  is  to  be  well  framed  and  pinned  as  is  usual  for  such  buildings.  The  exterior  is  to  have  hemlock 
laths  one  and  a  fourth  by  three  inches,  nailed  in  horizontally  flush  with  the  face  of  the  studding,  and  three  feet  between  centres, 
to  which  the  weatherboards  are  to  be  secured.  The  joists  of  the  first  floor  are  to  be  three  by  twelve  inches,  those  of  the  second 
are  to  be  three  by  eleven  inches,  and  those  of  the  attic  are  to  be  three  by  nine  inches,  all  of  hemlock,  and  placed  sixteen 
inches  between  centres.  The  trimmers  for  the  flues  and  stairs  are  to  be  double  thickness.  The  joists  are  all  to  be  backed 
and  are  to  have  a  course  of  herring  bone  bridged  through  the  centre.  The  rafters  are  to  be  eight  inches  at  the  foot,  of  the 
usual  rafter  cut,  and  placed  two  feet  between  centres.  The  ridge  pole  is  to  be  three  by  twelve  inches,  and  the  collar  beams 
one  and  a  half  by  six  inches,  strongly  nailed  to  the  rafters. 

The  exterior  of  the  building  is  to  be  boarded  vertically  with  one  inch  boards,  of  a  uniform  width  to  each  front,  from  ten 
to  thirteen  inches,  grooved  together  and  cleated  as  exhibited  on  the  plate  of  details.  The  rafters  are  to  be  lathed  with 
hemlock  strips,  which  must  be  overlaid  with  white  pine  shingles  of  a  good  quality,  laid  in  courses  of  eight  inches  each  in  a 
diamond  pattern.    Each  shingle  is  to  be  secured  with  two  eight  penny  nails. 

FLOORS. — All  the  flooring  is  to  be  a  good  quality  heart  pine  flooring  boards,  well  worked,  well  seasoned  and  firmly 
nailed  to  the  joists,  with  the  joints  afterwards  shot.  Those  in  the  porches  are  to  be  of  white  pine  boards,  quite  narrow  and 
laid  with  white  lead  in  the  joints. 

STAIRS. — The  stairs  are  to  be  made  with  heart  pine  step  boards  of  a  good  quality.  They  are  to  have  one  and  three 
quarter  inch  turned  balusters,  a  six  inch  turned  mahogany  newel  and  a  cherry  rail,  all  put  together  in  the  best  and  most 
workmanlike  manner. 

WINDOWS. — The  windows  are  all  to  have  one  inch  and  a  half  sash,  and  are  to  be  double  hung  with  axle  pullies  and  patent 
cord.  Those  of  the  first  and  second  stories  arc  to  have  inside  shutters,  hung  and  secured  in  the  usual  manner.  They  are 
to  be  in  three  folds  and  are  to  part  in  the  centre,  each  division  having  two  panels  neatly  moulded  on  the  face  and  with 
bead  and  butt  on  the  inside.    They  are  to  fold  into  the  soffits  of  the  jambs. 

DOORS. — The  front  door  is  to  be  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick,  having  panels  with  bead  and  butt  on  the.  inside 
and  moulding  with  fillets  on  the  outside.  It  is  to  be  hung  with  four  by  four  inch  butts  and  secured  by  a  seven  inch 
upright  mortice  lock  with  porcelain  mountings.  The  parlor,  dining  room,  vestibule  and  back  doors  are  to  be  one  inch 
and  a  half  thick,  hung  with  three  and  a  half  inch  butts  and  secured  by  four  inch  mortice  locks.    All  other  doors  in  the  first 

17 


i 


66 


A  COTTAGE. 


story  and  the  five  principal  doors  of  the  second  story  are  to  be  secured  by  three  inch  mortice  locks,  but  otherwise  are  similar 
to  the  rest.  All  other  doors  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  quarter  thick,  hung  with  three  by  three  inch  butts  and  secured  as  may 
be  directed.    All  doors  are  to  have  panels  and,  except  those  in  the  kitchen  and  attic,  must  be  moulded. 

The  closets  are  all  to  be  fitted  up  and  shelved  wherever  it  may  be  required  and  the  kitchen  is  to  be  furnished  with  a 
dresser  fitted  up  with  drawers,  shelves,  paneled  doors,  &c.,  as  is  usual. 

DRESSINGS. — All  the  outside  window  and  door  dressings,  the  cornices,  architraves  and  finials,  arc  to  be  constructed 
as  set  forth  by  the  details.  The  window  and  door  dressings  of  the  parlor,  hall  and  dining  room  are  to  be  six  and  a  half 
inch  architraves,  with  mouldings.  Those  of  the  second  story  are  to  be  five  inches  wide,  and  those  of  the  attic  and  kitchen 
are  to  be  three  inches  wide.  The  wash-board  of  the  parlor,  dining  room  and  hall  is  to  be  twelve  inches  high,  including  the 
moulding  and  a  two  and  a  half  inch  sub.  That  of  the  second  story  is  to  be  ten  inches  wide  with  a  moulding  and  those  of 
the  attic  and  kitchen  are  to  be  four  inches  wide  with  a  bead  on  the  top. 

TINNING. — The  roofs  of  the  porches  and  of  the  bay-window  and  all  the  gutters  of  the  main  roof  are  to  be  of  the  best 
one  cross  leaded  roofing  tin,  painted  on  both  sides,  the  upper  receiving  two  coats.  There  must  be  provided  three  three  inch 
conductors  of  the  same  material  to  convey  the  water  from  the  roof  to  the  ground. 

PLASTERING. — All  the  walls  and  ceilings  throughout  the  building  are  to  have  two  coats  of  brown  mortar  and  one  of 
white.  The  parlor  and  vestibule  is  to  have  a  cornice  girting  twelve  inches  and  the  parlor  is  to  have  in  addition  a  centre 
piece  three  feet  in  diameter.  The  plastering  is  to  be  done  with  mortar  composed  of  good  clean  river  sand  and  fresh  wood 
burnt  lime  in  the  best  proportions.    All  laths  are  to  be  sound  and  free  from  bark. 

PAINTING  AND  GLAZING. — All  the  woodwork  of  the  interior  that  it  is  usual  to  paint  must  have  three  coats  of 
pure  white  lead,  mixed  with  the  best  linseed  oil.  The  exterior  is  to  be  painted  with  four  coats  of  Silver's  patent  fire  proof 
paint  in  a  brown  tint.  The  stair  rail,  newel  and  balusters  are  to  have  four  coats  of  varnish.  The  sash  are  to  be  glazed 
with  the  best  American  glass,  well  bedded,  bradded  and  back  puttied. 

FINALLY. — The  contractor  is  to  furnish  at  his  own  cost  all  the  material  and  workmanship  necessary  to  finish  and 
complete  this  building,  according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  the  plans  and  other  drawings,  and  of  this  specification, 
and  also  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  employer. 


A  COTTAGE. 
DESIGN  FOURTEENTH. 

It  is  evident  at  a  glance  that  this  design,  the  front  elevation  of  which  is  presented  on  the  right  of  Plate  LVII.  possesses 
many  points  of  similarity  to  the  one  which  precedes  it.  Although  the  internal  arrangement  of  apartments  is  totally 
different,  yet  we  have  adopted  the  same  methods  of  construction  and  in  a  general  way  the  same  style  for  the  dressings 
and  finish.  We  have  now  presented  three  consecutive  designs  for  houses  whose  sides  are  framed  and  vertically  boarded. 
Frame  houses  are  much  preferred  in  many  parts  of  our  country,  chiefly  on  account  of  their  local  cheapness,  for  in  sorrft  places 
we  find  them  outnumbering  those  of  brick  or  stone,  ten  to  one.  The  cost  being  equal,  a  brick  house  is  much  to  be  preferred 
but  the  other  may  be  equally  comfortable.    Of  this  we  shall  have  occasion  to  speak  in  future. 

It  has  been  the  almost  universal  custom  to  place  the  boards  on  frame  houses  horizontally,  making  them  to  overlap  each 
other  so  as  to  turn  off  the  rain.  There  are  many  objections  to  this,  not  the  least  being  the  very  disagreeable  effect 
produced  upon  the  eye,  by  a  multitude  of  parallel  lines,  especially  in  the  sun-light.  The  same  objection  does  not  seem  to 
apply  to  vertical  lines  with  equal  force,  and  consequently  they  are  preferable.  Care  must  be  taken  however  in  these  last 
to  exclude  driving  rain.  If  the  joints,  before  the  cleats  are  put  on,  be  made  tight,  we  more  certainly  secure  this  end,  but  by 
nailing  the  cleats  closely  and  using  paint  freely  the  liability  may  be  avoided. 


.Designs  XIII ' &  XIV 


Pl.LVIL 


Design  XIII 


PL  LVIIi 


jp  \  %  Hi  §  ip  ji  (g  5?  s  ^a  we  m  w , 


Designs  XTft &X/V 


PI  A/X 


SECOND  STORY 


Chamber 
15  X  18 


7x  15  ■ 


Chamber 
18  x  24 


Chamber 
1+  x  24 


SKCOND  STORY 


3 


Chamber 

14  X.  86 


Chamber 

14X86 


ATTIC  STORY 


ATTIC  STORY 


FIRST  STORY 


FIRST  STORY 


to  5  o 
1 1 i  n  I  1 1  nJ 


Scale  16  feet  lo  the  inch 

10 


-i  i 


P  S  Duval*  Sleam  lith  press  Phil 


A    COTTAGE.  67 

On  the  right  side  of  Plate  LIX.  are  the  ground  plans  of  this  design.  It  is  also  a  good  sized  house,  the  scale  being  but 
one  inch  to  sixteen  feet.  It  is  smaller,  however,  than  the  preceding  design,  and  consequently  less  expensive.  The  porches 
too,  being  smaller,  diminish  the  cost.  The  accommodations  are  about  the  same  as  those  of  the  other,  the  only  difference 
being  in  the  size  of  the  rooms,  for  we  have  on  the  second  floor,  as  in  the  other  design,  four  chambers.  Two  of  these  are 
thirteen  by  fourteen  feet  and  the  other  two  thirteen  by  seventeen  feet.  There  is  however  on  this  floor  in  the  other  design 
a  small  bed-room  and  an  additional  chamber  on  the  attic  floor.  It  will  be  observed  that  in  both  designs  the  kitchen  and 
dining  room  communicate  by  double  doors.  We  regard  this  as  essential  to  the  pleasantness  of  a  dining  room  in  order  to 
shut  off  more  effectually  the  odors  always  attendant  upon  culinary  operations. 

On  Plate  LXI.  are  the  details  of  this  design.  Fig.  1,  a  chimney-can.  Fig.  2,  the  finial  of  the  roof.  Fig.  3,  the 
Tudor  flower  with  a  section.  Fig.  4,  the  hood-mould  and  sill  of  the  windows.  Fig.  5,  the  finial  of  the  front  porch.  Fig. 
6,  a  front  view  of  the  porch  showing  the  framing  and  post.  Fig.  7,  section  of  the  same  along  the  peak,  side  view.  Fig.  8, 
back  porch.  Fig.  9,  eave  ornament  and  cornice.  Fig.  10,  a  section  of  the  twin  windows.  Upon  this  plate  also  is 
presented  a  side  elevation  of  the  design. 

The  aforementioned  similarity  between  the  two  designs  renders  it  unnecessary  that  we  should  give  a  specification  for 
this.  That  of  the  other  with  very  few  alterations  may  be  substituted.  In  it  we  have  specified  the  best  style  of  finishing  suited 
to  the  general  design.  Were  tliis  surpassed,  incongruities  would  arise  and  there  would  be  too  much  ornament  or  finish  for 
the  basis.  On  the  other  hand,  however,  we  may  detract  from  this  finish  very  materially  without  destroying  the  completeness 
of  the  design  or  violating  good  taste,  and  at  the  same  time  diminish  the  cost.  Were  this  building  to  be  finished  according 
to  the  specification  the  cost  would  be  about  seventeen  or  eighteen  hundred  dollars. 


A    SMALL  VILLA. 
DESIGN  FIFTEENTH. 


I 


Tins  is  comparatively  a  small  building,  the  principal  room  on  the  first  floor  being  but  fourteen  by  fifteen  feet.  It  is  best 
suited  to  a  warm  climate,  for  the  open  hall  with  the  staircase  in  it  would  make  a  delightfully  cool  sitting  room.  The  front 
elevation  is  exhibited  on  Plate  LXII.  and  the  side  elevation  on  Plate  LXIII.  There  is  very  little  pretension  in  its 
appearance,  but  it  possesses  an  air  of  neatness.  The  ornaments  are  few  and  simple,  and  at  the  same  time  present  many  bold 
features.  It  is  by  no  means  rural  in  its  character,  but  would  seem  to  indicate  a  degree  of  cultivation  in  its  occupants,  or 
rather,  we  should  say,  it  seems  to  indicate  that  they  have  a  greater  acquaintance  with  the  busy  world  than  country  folks 
generally  possess. 

On  Plate  LXIV.  are  the  ground  plans  of  this  design.    The  porch  and  pantry,  placed  on  opposite  sides  of  the  hall,  give 
symmetry  to  the  design.  The  apartment  marked  '  living  room'  is  intended  to  be  used  both  as  a  sitting  and  dining  room,  and 
in  cold  weather  as  a  parlor  also.    As  was  before  intimated,  the  hall  will  admirably  serve  this  latter  purpose  during  the  ^) 
jjljj     summer  months.    The  window  in  the  kitchen  is  designed  to  open  to  the  floor,  thus  giving  a  means  of  egress.    The  stairs 

W8&&&>  *c^Z&>Q. 


68  A     SMALL  VILLA. 

^|     to  the  cellar  are  beneath  the  hall.    The  flues  are  to  be  overdrawn  so  as  to  issue  from  the  point  in  the  roof  indicated  on  the 

elevations.    The  building  will  accommodate  a  family  of  four  or  five  with  the  servant  included. 

On  Plate  LXV.  are  the  details.    Fig.  1  is  the  front  gable.    Fig.  2,  a  section  of  the  same,  showing  the  bracket.    Fig.  3, 

the  gable  window.    Fig.  4,  a  vertical  section  of  the  same.    Fig.  5,  a  horizontal  section  of  the  same.    Fig.  G,  the  cornice 

and  post  of  the  porch.    Fig.  7,  the  window  beneath  the  balcony.    Fig.  8,  side  view  of  the  balcony.    Fig.  9,  the  circular 

t 

window  of  the  gable.    Fig.  10,  a  section  of  the  same.    Fig.  11,  the  chimney-can. 

We  deem  it  unnecessary,  in  this  case  also,  to  give  a  specification,  in  consequence  of  its  great  similarity  to  preceding 
designs.  We  may,  however,  mention  that  it  is  intended  to  have  brick  walls,  rough-cast  without  the  pointing.  The  roof  is 
of  tin.  If  it  be  desirable  to  build  on  this  plan,  but  at  less  expense,  the  house  may  be  framed  and  the  studs  lathed  without 
and  then  rough-cast.  The  appearance  in  this  case  would  be  the  same,  the  only  difference  being  in  the  permanency  of  the 
building.  Instead  of  lathing,  we  might  closely  board  the  outside,  having  the  joints  tongued  and  grooved.  This,  then, 
painted  and  sanded,  would  look  about  as  well  and  be  much  stronger  than  if  it  were  lathed.  In  view  of  this  latter  case 
the  plates  of  details  have  been  arranged.    The  cost,  if  built  of  brick,  would  be  §1200,  if  boarded,  $1050. 


A    PLAIN  DWELLING. 
DESIGN  SIXTEENTH. 

On  the  upper  portion  of  Plate  LXIV.  are  the  ground  plans  of  this  design.  It  is  quite  simple  and  requires  no 
explanation.  In  every  building  the  greatest  sources  of  expense,  perhaps,  are  the  doors  and  windows,  and  wherever  they 
can  be  dispensed  with  the  o-xpense  is  accordingly  diminished.  In  the  parlor  of  this  plan  the  rear  window  might  very  well 
be  left  out.  It  looks  immediately  into  the  back  yard,  and  cannot  be  needed  for  any  other  purpose  than  that  of  lighting 
and  ventilating  the  room,  which  object  is  sufficiently  attained  by  the  other  two  as  the  room  is  small.  The  same  remark  may  be 
applied  to  the  corresponding  window  in  the  chamber  above.  One  window  would  be  amply  sufficient  for  the  kitchen  and 
one  for  the  bed  room  above.  Two  were  introduced  in  each  that  the  intermediate  spaces  might  be  equal.  This  is  not, 
however,  of  very  great  importance. 

The  front  elevation  of  this  design  is  on  Plate  LXVL,  together  with  the  details.  Fig.  1  is  the  balustrade  on  the  roof. 
Fig.  2,  the  post  cap  of  the  same.  Fig.  3,  the  end  of  the  chimney  stack.  Fig.  4,  a  front  window.  Fig.  5,  the  cornice  and 
posts  of  the  front  porch.    Fig.  6,  the  cornice  of  the  building. 

The  roof  of  this  building  is  to  be  of  tin,  and  the  walls  are  to  be  framed,  closely  boarded,  painted  and  sanded  in  the  way 
suggested  for  the  previous  design.  There  is,  it  will  be  perceived,  a  front  porch  exhibited  on  the  elevation  which  is  not  laid 
down  on  the  plans.    With  this  porch,  an  end  view  of  which  is  also  given,  the  cost  of  the  house  would  be  about  $1450. 


Design  XV. 


I'l  I, XII 

-  >      .  » 


§  3  C  3  D  3  ^  ft  3  W/4\  W  2  ®  gf . 


Design,  W&XVI 


i 


PL  LXIV. 


FIRST  STORY. 


SECOND  STORY 


i  lose!  ■■■■■ 


Living  Room 
14  X  15. 


FIRST  STORY 


SFJOM)  STORY 


Scale  V8  of  an  moh  to  the  foot  . 

2  1  0  I  1  3  f  S  (  79 


P  S  Duv*U  Sh*mlilH  Pn.i  Ph 


Design  X  VI 


PI.  LXVI 


F16.I 


Scale,  V8  of  an  inch  to  the  foot. 


FRONT  KLKVATION   

S  RS  \  1  ^  L  j  nj    /\    SH  rnJ     ^  P  S.Duv»lf  Svedm  bth  v«s  Piai 


f 

SCHOOL-HOUSES. 


pp9H  NTIL  recently  little  attention  has  been  given  to  the  subject  of  School-houses.  Throughout 
the  length  and  breadth  of  the  country  our  'practical'  people  have  for  some  time  past  conde- 
scended to  bestow  a  few  rude  touches  of  architectural  art  upon  their  buildings.  First, 
3®  upon  the  principal  public  buildings,  inasmuch  as  the  additional  expense  was  not  immediately  felt, 
jffl  and  also  because  their  dignity  and  importance  seemed  to  demand  it,  Next,  pride  and  the  love  of 
comfort  materially  added'  to  the  conveniences  and  improved  the  appearance  of  dwellings.  Last,  as 
though  least,  the  School-house  begins  to  exhibit  traces  of  having  received  some  of  the  attention  which  is 
its  due.  It  would  be  curious  to  inquire  into  the  cause  of  this  neglect ;  but  at  present  we  have  only  to  do 
with  the  fact,  which  we  may  venture  to  say  lives  in  the  memory  of  every  one  when  he  thinks  of  his 
school-boy  days,  unless  perchance  he  was  so  highly  favored  as  to  be  sent  to  some  aristocratic  select  school. 
But  we  who  were  not  thus  favored  well  remember  the  dilapidated  building,  with  only  one  room,  standing 
on  the  cheapest  lot  in  the  neighborhood,  and  perhaps  without  any  enclosure.  We  know  how  hot  it 
was  in  summer,  how  damp  in  wet  weather,  how  cold  in  winter,  with  the  wind  pouring  in  chill  streams 
through  innumerable  crevices;  or  it  may  be  that  a  red  stove  kept  the  close  room  hot,  and  the  air,  breathed 
over  and  over  again,  became  putrid  and  disgusting.  But  chiefly  we  remember  when  perched  on  the  high, 
hard,  backless  bench  how  wo  would  long  for  the  hour  of  letting  out,  with  what  delight  we  would  escape 
from  the  pseudo  penitentiary,  what  little  pleasure  Monday  morning  brought,  and  how  each  day  intervening 
the  vacation  was  carefully  numbered.  There  is  in  an  old  spelling  book  this  sentence,  "Bo\s  hate  study," 
and  once  we  thought  that  nothing  indeed  could  be  more  true;  but  now  we  know  that  it  was  not  so  much 
the  study  that  excited  dislike  as  its  unpleasant  associations. 

But  these  facts  and  their  causes,  though  with  us  as  household  words,  have  not  until  lately  found 
their  way  into  print.  The  Genius  of  Improvement  at  last  reached  the  School-house  and  found  great  room 
for  exercise.  There  is  now  lying  before  us  the  results  of  systematic  and  official  inquiry  into  the  state  of 
the  schools  throughout  New  England  and  the  Middle  States,  giving  testimony  to  their  bad  condition.  They 
are  the  reports  of  various  committees  of  examination,  which,  when  published,  at  once  brought  to  public  view 
the  undesirable  state  of  things.  Some  of  the  details  are  shocking  and  almost  incredible.  We  have  no 
space  for  these,  but  can  introduce  only  a  few  facts  which  were  perhaps  general.  In  the  report  to  the 
Legislature  of  New  York  by  the  Hon.  Samuel  Young,  we  find  the  following : 

18  CO 


70  SCHOOL-HOUSES. 

"  One-third  only  of  the  whole  number  of  School-houses  visited,  were  found  in  good  repair;  another  third  in  ordinary 
and  comfortable  condition,  only  in  this  respect — in  other  words,  barely  sufficient  for  the  convenience  and  accommodation 
of  teachers  and  pupils ;  while  the  remainder,  consisting  of  three  thousand  three  hundred  and  nineteen,  were  to  all  intents 
and  purposes  unfit  for  the  reception  of  man  or  beast." 

The  report  of  Hon.  Horace  Mann,  secretary  of  the  Board  of  Education  in  Massachusetts,  for  1S4G,  says — 
"For  years  the  condition  of  this  class  of  edifices,  throughout  the  State,  had  been  growing  worse  and  worse."  "In 
1837,  not  one-third  part  of  the  Public  School-houses,  in  Massachusetts,  would  have  been  considered  tenantable  by  any 
decent  family,  out  of  the  Poor-house  or  in  it."  Again:  "At  the  time  referred  to,  the  School-houses  in  Massachusetts 
were  an  opprobrium  to  the  State ;  and  if  there  be  any  one  who  thinks  this  expression  too  strong,  he  may  satisfy  himself 
of  its  correctness  by  inspecting  some  of  the  few  specimens  of  them  which  still  remain." 

The  First  Annual  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Common  Schools  in 
Connecticut,  for  1838-39,  contains  the  following  : 

"  I  will  say  generally  that  the  location  of  the  School-house,  instead  of  being  retired,  shaded,  healthy,  attractive,  is  in 
some  cases  decidedly  unhealthy,  exposed  freely  to  the  sun  and  storm,  and  nearly  all  on  cne  or  more  public  streets,  where 
the  passing  of  objects,  the  noise  and  the  dust,  are  a  perpetual  annoyance  to  teacher  and  scholar — that  no  play-ground  is 
afforded  for  the  scholar,  except  the  highway — that  the  size  is  too  small  for  even  the  average  attendance  of  the  scholars — 
that  not  one  in  a  hundred  has  any  other  provision  for  a  constant  supply  of  that  indispensable  element  of  health  and  life, 
pure  air,  except  the  rents  and  crevices  which  time  and  wanton  mischief  have  made — that  the  seats  and  desks  are  not,  in  a 
majority  of  cases,  adapted  to  children  of  different  sizes  and  ages,  but  on  the  other  hand  are  calculated  to  induce  physical 
deformity  and  ill  health,  and  not  a  few  instances  (I  state  this  on  the  authority  of  physicians  who  were  professionally  ac- 
quainted with  the  cases,)  have  actually  resulted  in  this — and  that  in  the  mode  of  warming  the  rooms,  sufficient  regard  is 
not  had  either  to  the  comfort  and  health  of  the  scholar,  or  to  economy." 

We  cannot  insert  more,  though  there  is  an  abundance.  The  School-houses  of  Pennsylvania  and  those, 
generally,  throughout  the  South  and  West  were,  if  possible,  worse.  Although  there  is,  as  before  stated,  a 
decided  movement  for  the  better,  still  this  state  of  things  is  by  no  means  as  yet  extinct.  The  "old  held 
school"  is  still  kept  in  a  log  hut,  and  has  benches  made  of  timber  slabs.  The  site  generally  selected  for 
the  School-house  is  that  wanted  for  nothing  else.  In  the  country,  it  is  seated  in  the  wild  woods,  without, 
enclosure  and  without  any  other  clearing  than  the  highway  which  runs  immediately  before  the  door.  In 
villages,  it  is  either  in  some  back  alley  or  in  a  hollow.  The  building  itself  is  seldom  better  than  the  barns 
within  sight.  It  is  often  a  mere  log  hut  having  of  course  but  one  room,  and  that  without  a  ceiling.  More 
generally  it  is  a  frame  building,  as  plain  as  possible,  destitute  of  window  shutters  and  always  having  broken 
glass.  The  winds  rock  it  to  and  fro,  and  the  cracked  plastering,  the  innumerable  chinks  and  various 
ingenious  carvings  of  the  boys,  give  evidence  of  its  dilapidated  condition.  The  school-room  is  either  so 
small  and  crowded  as  to  be  uncomfortable,  or  so  large  as  to  be  comfortless.  It  is  often  so  low  that  an  ordi- 
nary man  may  touch  the  ceiling ;  thus  in  Rhode  Island,  the  height  of  over  two  hundred  school-rooms  averaged 
less  than  eight  feet.    Sometimes  it  has  a  stove  and  sometimes  an  open  fire-place,  we  cannot  say  is  warmed 


5 


1 


 -^^^G 

jf>  SCHOOL-HOUSES.  71 

by  either,  for  the  wind  whistling  through  the  cracks  forbids.  In  this,  however,  we  do  injustice  to  many 
where  the  stove  is  kept  shut,  until  the  air  is  almost  enough  to  stifle  a  Hottentot.  None  are  ever  provided 
with  means  of  artificial  ventilation  by  which  the  air  may  be  kept  uniform  in  purity  and  temperature, 
but  when  it  becomes  so  impure  and  so  contaminated  with  smoke  as  to  be  positively  insupportable,  the 
window  is  raised,  and  in  pour  colds  and  consumption. 

Public  attention  has  happily  at  last  been  aroused.  Horace  Mann  says,  that  there  was  one  argument  used 
by  the  advocates  of  reform  Avith  irresistible  effect.  The  meeting  of  the  voters  on  the  question  of  erecting  a 
new  School-house  was  called  in  the  old  one.  "  Cold  winds,  whistling  through  crannies  and  chinks  and 
broken  windows,  told  with  merciless  effect  upon  the  opponents.  The  ardor  of  opposition  was  cooled  b}r 
snow-blasts  rushing  up  through  the  floor.  Pain-imparting  scats  made  it  impossible  for  the  objectors  to 
listen  patiently  even  to  arguments  on  their  own  side,  and  it  was  obvious  that  the  tears  they  shed  were 
less  attributable  to  any  wrongs  they  feared  than  to  the  volumes  of  smoke  which  belched  out  with  every 
gust  of  wind  from  broken  funnels  and  chimneys.  Such  was  the  case  in  some  houses.  In  others,  opposite 
evils  prevailed;  and  the  heat,  and  stilling  air,  and  nauseating  effluvia  were  such  as  a  grown  man  has  hardly 
been  compelled  to  live  in,  since  the  time  of  Jonah."  Such  arguments  were  indeed  cogent,  and  we  now  see 
their  effect  in  the  many  comfortable  and  convenient  School-houses  newly  built  or  building  around  us.  But 
the  stone  has  just  struck  the  water,  and  the  circles  are  not  yet  spread.  In  the  principal  cities  and  towns 
only  does  reform  exist,  but  as  information  is  disseminated  through  the  press,  and  as  models  are  presented, 
so  much  the  more  rapidly  and  widely  will  improvement  extend. 

A  word  may  be  said  as  to  what  School-houses  should  be.  The  best  situation  in  a  village  is  not  on  the 
principal  street,  nor  on  the  most  worthless  lot  to  be  had,  but  in  some  quiet,  respectable  neighborhood 
where  there  is  little  or  no  stir  out  of  doors  to  distract  the  attention  of  the  inmates.  The  building  should 
always  be  enclosed  with  a  yard  large  enough  for  a  playground,  and  be  surrounded  by  shade  trees.  In 
the  country  there  should  be  no  more  trees  around  than  are  necessary  for  a  pleasant  shade,  and  in  all  cases 
it  should  have  a  high,  dry  and  healthy  site,  protected  by  a  hill-side  or  a  grove  of  evergreens  from  the 
bleak  north  winds. 

The  building,  if  the  means  at  hand  will  not  allow  of  its  being  made  attractive,  should  certainly  not  be  repul- 
sive in  its  external  appearance.  The  internal  arrangement  and  conveniences  of  course  are  of  the  first  consider- 
ation, but  every  effort  should  be  made  to  give  it  as  much  architectural  effect  as  possible.  Without 
detailing  the  results  of  this,  we  may  say  generally  that  it  reacts  as  a  public  benefit;  it  makes  going  to 
school  more  pleasant,  and  every  tasteful  moulding,  every  carving  impresses  the  mind,  and  is  in  itself  a 
schoolmaster.  Of  the  interior  the  same  holds  true,  and  it  should  therefore  be  finished  in  the  most  tasteful 
manner  possible.  It  is  a  notorious  fact,  that  in  Europe  valuable  statuary  and  paintings  may  be  exposed 
unguarded  to  public  gaze,  and  they  will  never  be  touched.  There  nothing  is  carelessly  injured.  It  is 
/[>    equally  notorious  that  Americans  deface  everything  they  can  reach  with  a  knife  or  pencil  point.    Where  is 


4 


,2  SCHOOL-HOUSES. 

this  learned  but  at  School  ?  There  is  not  one  School-house  in  a  thousand  that  is  not  covered  with  marks  and 
carvings,  oftentimes  so  obscene  as  to  have  a  polluting  effect  on  the  susceptible  minds  of  children.  This  is 
best  avoided  by  giving  every  thing  the  highest  finish,  for  the  mind  naturally  shrinks  from  injuring  that 
which  is  beautiful  and  produced  by  labor  and  pains-taking,  and  then,  too,  if  the  injury  is  done,  it  becomes  a 
more  punishable  offence. 

A  school-room  should  never  be  less  than  twelve  feet  high,  it  should  have  about  as  much  vacant  as  occu- 
pied space  on  the  lloor  and  should  be  well  lighted.  There  should  be  other  apartments  for  the  purpose  of 
entry,  for  the  stairway  and  for  the  deposit  of  loose  clothing.  The  furniture  should  always  be  conveniently 
designed  and  arranged.  Every  possible  attention  should  be  paid  to  the  comfort  of  both  teachers  and 
scholars.  If  both  sexes  are  taught  in  the  same  building,  they  should  be  separated  by  being  in  different 
stories  or  apartments,  there  should  be  different  places  for  entry  and  distinct  conveniences  throughout. 

It  may  be  thought  entirely  superlluous  to  say  that  the  construction  of  the  building  should  be  sound  in 
every  part.  On  the  evening  of  April  28th,  1851,  the  ceiling  of  the  Southwest  School-house  in  this  city, 
fell  bodily  to  the  lloor.  We  were  called  upon  to  examine  it,  and  found  that  the  ceiling  joists  had  been 
attached  to  the  beams  by  tenpenny  nails,  in  such  a  way  that  the  mere  weight  of  the  plastering,  laths  and 
joists  brought  the  Avhole  down.  Had  the  fall  occurred  during  school-hours,  in  all  human  probability,  seventy 
little  children  would  have  been  crushed  to  death.  On  examining  further  the  building,  the  wall  was  found 
to  have  so  separated,  the  facing  from  the  body,  in  consequence  of  its  not  being  well  bonded,  that  it  barely 
gave  sufficient  support  to  the  floors  and  roof.  The  terrible  calamity  which  occurred  in  the  School-house  on 
Greenwich  Avenue,  New  York,  on  the  20th  of  Nov.  1851,  is  still  fresh  in  painful  recollection,  and  would 
not  have  occurred  had  the  stairway  been  properly  designed  and  the  bannisters  been  constructed  with  a 
proper  degree  of  strength.  A  panic,  that  strange  cloud  of  ignorant  fear  which  overshadows  the  reason  and 
leaves  only  instinct  and  the  body  active,  came  upon  the  children.  They  croAvded  on  the  stairway,  the 
bannisters  broke,  and  for  some  time  a  living  stream  poured  over  the  brink,  down  the  well,  and  dashed  itself 
on  the  stone  floor,  piling  up  a  mass  of  quivering  flesh  and  bones.  We  need  mention  no  more  than  this  one 
horrible  affair  to  show  the  necessity  of  careful  attention  to  construction,  and  the  folly  of  those  who  build 
with  the  least  possible  expense  of  labor  and  material. 

The  best  methods  of  warming  a  School-house  are  those  which  apply  to  other  buildings.  We  have  no  space 
to  discuss  this  point  now,  but  in  a  future  article  will  speak  of  it  at  large.  The  great  desideratum  is  to 
secure  a  large  and  steady  influx  of  moderately  heated  air,  which  in  large  rooms  is  best  done  by  means  of  a 
cellar  furnace.  Stoves  may  be  so  constructed  and  managed  as  to  attain  the  same  end  very  effectually.  But 
ventilation  is  a  point  of  equally  great  importance  and  has  received  heretofore  little  or  no  attention. 
So  long  as  open  fire-places  were  used  the  chimney  acted  to  this  end,  but  now  when  our  best  constructed 
rooms  are  made  almost  air  tight,  it  must  be  otherwise  provided  for.  In  three  hours  the  air  in  the  largest 
of  our  school-rooms,  with  its  ordinary  complement  of  scholars,  would  become  so  vitiated  as  to  be  utterly  unfit 


Ih  /,///.!  !  // 


r/.wiy/. 


Dm?*  JV//.  />/  LYY/II 


Sin!  Sloan  fcwK' 


I' :  Duval.i  !  lf.>Hii  i •<> •  l'< 


Design  xvn. 


piexix 


SECOND    STORY  FIRST  STORY 


Sortie  ll)  Feel  to  Mir  m<h 

10        .<*3  r  i  v  10  SO  Jo  *o 

tt  .  t  ,fT-r  L  -f-  —   ■»  -    -— t—    ■■   I 


P  »  !•  ...Ii  «•»  M  l\. .•  Pk.Urf' 


SCHOOL-HOUSES.  73 

for  the  purposes  of  respiration.  This  is  no  guess  work,  but  a  fact  calculated  upon  scientific  principles.  The 
effect,  where  this  even  partially  occurs,  is  to  stupify  the  brain  and  produce  a  total  disinclination  to  physical 
or  mental  labor,  too  certainly  planting  disease.    Plans  for  ventilation  will  also  be  discussed  in  future. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  urge  further  the  improvement  of  School-houses.  Probably  we  will  give  here- 
after, in  another  form,  an  extension  of  our  views  on  this  subject,  but  at  present  enough  has  been  said  to  show 
its  importance.  When  we  reflect  on  the  plastic  and  susceptible  nature  of  the  youthful  mind  and  body,  the 
tenacity  with  which  in  after  years  it  retains  early  impressions  and  influences,  how  desirable  it  appears 
that  we  should  surround  this  stage  of  life  with  the  most  pleasant  and  healthful  associations.  Should  the 
School-house  be  a  place  of  both  mental  and  physical  torture  ?  It  is  indeed  too  frequently  so,  our  most  painful 
recollections  being  oftentimes  connected  with  it.  Certainly  we  should  desire  our  children  to  pass  the  few 
years  they  are  subject  to  us,  the  naturally  pleasantest  portion  of  life,  as  happily  as  possible ;  but  in  the 
usual  condition  of  things,  no  wonder  they  grow  up  with  an  utter  dislike  to  mental  labor,  since  connected 
with  it  they  have  been  accustomed  to  such  circumstances  as  would  degrade  and  break  the  spirit  of  a  man, 
and  the  influence  of  which  it  requires  all  the  buoyancy  of  youth  to  resist. 


A    SCHOOL -  HOUSE. 
DESIGN  SEVENTEENTH. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1850,  the  Board  of  Controllers  of  the  Puhlic  Schools  in  the  city  and  county  of  Philadelphia, 
made  a  public  proposal  for  designs  for  School-houses.  They  subsequently  fixed  upon  those  offered  by  the  author,  and  siuce 
that  time  have  been  busily  engaged  in  erecting  buildings  on  these  plans.  Up  to  this  time  the  arrangements  for  the  accomo- 
dation  of  the  various  schools  have  been  indifferent,  and  in  some  cases  decidedly  bad.  Oftentimes  they  have  been  kept  in 
rented  buildings,  erected  for  other  purposes  entirely,  in  one  of  which,  during  January,  1852,  the  ceiling  fell,  fortunately 
during  the  night,  but  had  it  fallen  in  school  hours  the  disastrous  consequences  would  have  been  equally  great  with  those 
mentioned  in  the  previous  article,  in  connexion  with  a  similar  accident.  In  another  of  these  rented  buildings  a  school  of 
over  one  hundred  children  has  been  kept  in  a  room  destitute  of  ventilating  apparatus,  and  having  only  one  dark  narrow 
stairway  as  a  means  of  egress.  These  defects  in  the  system  the  Board  have  taken  most  prompt  and  energetic  measures  to 
remedy,  and  have  now  determined  to  erect  new  buildings  wherever  there  is  any  need. 

The  design  which  was  adopted  as  aforementioned,  we  now  lay  before  our  readers.  An  elevation  and  perspective  suited 
to  the  plan  are  exhibited  on  Plates  LX VII.  and  LXVIIL,  the  ornaments  of  which  arc  taken  from  the  Norman  style. 

The  most  important  feature,  however,  is  the  mode  of  partitioning  ;  this  may  be  seen  on  Flate  LXIX.  of  ground  plans,  and 

on  the  second  plate  of  details.    It  consists  of  dividing  the  building  into  the  requisite  number  of  school-rooms  by  means  of 

glass  partitions,  which  are  so  arranged,  (see  the  specification,)  that  the  whole  story  may  be  thrown  into  one  room,  aud  thus 

the  various  divisions  of  the  school  may  be  taught  separately  or  together,  as  desired.     Each  apartment  is  intended  to 

19 


I 


74  SCHOOL-HOUSES.  $ 

accomodate  about  sixty  scholars.  On  the  upper  part  of  the  plate  are  the  plans  to  which  the  specification  refers,  and  below 
we  exhibit  plans  of  the  same  design,  doubled  in  size.  In  this  the  rooms  communicate  through  the  opening  in  the  centre 
by  means  of  four  glass  doors.  The  means  of  egress  in  both  arc  ample.  The  cost  of  the  buildings  on  the  first  plan  is  $4000, 
of  the  second  $7000 

On  plate  LXX.  are  the  details  of  the  outside.  Fig.  1,  the  belfry.  Fig.  2,  the  cornice,  corbel  course  and  eave  bracket. 
Fig.  3,  is  the  pediment  bracket.    Fig.  4,  corbel  course  of  the  eaves.    Fig.  5,  window.    Fig.  G,  section  of  the  window. 

Plate  LXXI.  shows  the  construction  of  the  partitions.  Fig.  1,  is  a  front  view,  drawn  as  if  for  a  three  story  building,  and 
shows  a  section  of  the  floors.    Fig.  2  is  a  vertical  section.    Fig.  3,  a  horizontal  section. 

SPECIFICATION 

Of  the  workmanship  and  materials  to  be  used  in  the  construction  of  a  new  School-house,  situate,  &c. 

GENERAL  DIMENSIONS. — The  building  is  to  be  forty-two  feet  six  inches  front,  by  twenty-five  feet  six  inches  deep, 
and  two  stories  high.  The  vestibule  is  to  be  externally  twenty-four  by  ten  feet  six  inches,  and  the  roof  is  to  have  four 
feet  pitch.  The  first  story  is  to  be  thirteen  feet  one  inch  and  a  half  to  the  top  of  the  second  story  floor,  and  the  second 
story  is  to  bo  twelve  feet  in  the  clear.    All  other  dimensions  must  be  taken  from  the  accompanying  drawings. 

EXCAVATION. — The  cellar  must  be,  throughout  the  entire  extent  of  the  building,  seven  feet  deep  below  the  underside 
of  the  first  floor  joists.  The  trenches  for  the  foundation  must  be  at  least  one  foot  deep  below  the  cellar  bottom.  The  earth 
from  the  cellar  is  to  be  graded  about  the  premises  as  may  be  directed. 

MASONRY. — The  foundations  or  cellar  walls,  as  high  as  the  first  tier  of  joists,  are  to  be  two  feet  thick.  The  walls  above, 
as  high  as  the  second  tier  of  joists,  are  to  be  twenty  two  inches  thick,  and  to  the  third  tier  or  square  of  the  building  arc  to 
be  eighteen  inches  thick,  and  those  of  the  tympanums  arc  to  be  sixteen  inches  thick.  All  these  walls  are  to  be  built  of  good 
quarry  building  stone,  the  first  course  of  the  foundations  is  to  be  of  large  flat  stone  well,  and  solidly  bedded  in  mortar.  The 
mortar  must  all  be  composed  of  good  coarse  sharp  sand  and  wood  burnt  lime,  in  such  proportions  as  will  ensure  a  good 
cement.    All  facings  are  to  be  smooth  dashed  with  the  same  material  and  those  of  the  cellar  are  to  be  lime-washed. 

CUT  STONE. — A  base  course  of  the  best  hewn  stone  is  to  extend  around  the  building  two  feet  eight  inches  high,  pro- 
jecting two  inches  from  the  face  of  the  wall,  with  a  wash  on  the  top.  The  two  outer  door  sills  are  to  be  four  feet  two  inches 
long,  one  foot  six  inches  wide  and  eight  inches  high.  There  is  to  be  a  platform  step  to  each,  four  feet  eight  inches  long  by 
two  feet  six  inches  wide,  and  two  steps  of  the  same  length  and  one  foot  tread  ;  each  rise  is  to  be  eight  inches  high.  All 
the  above  is  to  be  blue  marble,  clear  of  all  defects  and  chamfered  where  necessary. 

BRICK  WORK. — There  are  to  be  three  piers  in  the  cellar,  built  of  brick  eighteen  inches  square,  of  height  sufficient  to 
give  support  to  the  girders,  and  situate  immediately  beneath  the  partition  posts.  The  warm  air  and  gas  flues  are  also  to  be 
constructed  of  sound  brick,  well  pargetted  within.  The  gas  flues  must  be  topped  out  with  sound  brick  at  least  three  feet 
above  the  roof.  There  is  also  to  be  a  case  of  brick  work  built  in  the  cellar,  having  two  four  inch  walls,  four  inches  apart,  for 
the  reception  of  a  furnace.  The  cold  air  ducts  are  to  be  constructed  of  bricks  under  ground,  communicating  with  the  ex- 
ternal air  at  the  nearest  accessible  point. 

CARPENTER  WORK. — The  joists  of  the  first  story  are  to  be  three  by  twelve  inches,  spruce  pine  of  good  quality,  placed 
sixteen  inches  between  centres,  and  well  backed  with  one  inch  crown,  each  tier  having  two  courses  of  herring  bone  bridging 
through  the  centre.  These  joists  are  to  be  supported  by  two  girders  fixed  across  the  building,  six  by  twelve  inches  each, 
and  placed  six  inches  apart.  These  girders  are  to  rest  upon  the  brick  piers  built  for  the  purpose  in  the  cellar  to  the  proper 
height.  They  are  to  be  bolted  together  with  three  quarter  inch  iron  bolts,  two  over  each  pier,  passing  through  the  ends  of 
iron  posts,  placed  over  the  piers  to  support  the  partition,  and  are  to  rest  upon  iron  brackets  cast  on  the  posts  beneath. 
The  joists  of  the  second  story  are  to  be  of  the  same  dimensions,  backed,  bridged,  &c,  as  last  mentioned,  but  of  hemlock  and 
placed  twelve  inches  between  centres.  The  girders  are  to  be  entirely  similar  to  those  below,  bolted  in  the  same  way. 
The  ceiling  joists  of  the  second  story  are  to  be  of  hemlock,  two  by  ten  inches,  bridged  and  placed  sixteen  inches  between 
centres.  They  also  will  rest  upon  girders  bolted  and  placed  similar  to  those  below,  which  are,  however,  but  four  by  twelve 
inches.  The  posts  of  the  second  story,  which  are  of  wood,  and  in  position  and  size  correspond  with  the  iron  posts  of  the  first 
story,  must  extend  to  the  roof  and  be  framed  into  the  ridge  piece  in  front  of  the  belfry,  and  into  the  rafter  opposite  on  the 
rear.  The  rafters  of  the  roof  are  to  be  three  by  five  inches,  placed  two  feet  between  centres,  strongly  framed  and  put  together 
in  the  most  substantial  manner.  These  rafters  are  to  be  overlaid  with  hemlock  board,  free  from  knots,  firmly  nailed  to  the 
rafters. and  otherwise  prepared  for  metal.  The  floors  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  quarter  heart  pine  boards,  well  sfasoned, 
well  worked,  tongued  and  grooved,  and  firmly  nailed  to  the  joists,  the  joints  being  afterwards  shot.  M 

^  .  -^e^m 


SCHOOL-HOUSES. 


STAIRS. — The  steps  are  to  be  composed  of  one  inch  and  a  quarter  heart  pine  step  boards,  four  feet  six  inches  long, 
each  step  having  eight  inches  rise  and  eleven  inches  tread.  They  are  to  be  enclosed  by  a  partition  formed  of  one  and 
a  half  inch  boards,  grooved,  quartered  and  beaded.  There  is  to  be  a  -wall  rail  secured  to  the  partition  in  the  usual  way. 
The  opening  in  the  second  floor  is  to  be  surrounded  by  a  strong  rail,  closed  beneath  to  correspond  with  the  wainscoting, 
and  not  less  than  four  feet  from  the  floor.  There  are  to  be  stairs  to  the  cellar,  beneath  the  main  stairs,  put  together  in  the 
usual  manner,  and  also  a  step  ladder  to  the  loft. 

DOORS. — The  outside  doors  are  to  be  one  inch  and  three  quarters  thick,  each  having  six  panels  with  bead  and  butt,  and 
being  hung  with  three  four  by  four  inch  butts,  and  secured  by  seven  inch  upright  mortice  locks.  The  frames  are  to  corres- 
pond with  those  of  the  windows,  the  tympanum  of  the  arch  being  glazed.  The  inside  doors  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  half 
thick,  having  six  panels  with  bead  and  butt,  and  being  hung  with  three  and  a  half  by  three  and  a  half  inch  butts,  and  secured 
by  four  inch  mortice  knob  latches.  The  cellar  door  outside  is  to  be  beneath  one  of  the  windows  as  may  be  directed,  the 
opening  being  three  feet  six  inches  broad  by  four  feet  out,  having  a  stone  head  and  sill  and  eight  inch  cheeks.  The  door 
is  to  be  in  two  parts,  strongly  put  together  with  wrought  tenpenny  nails,  and  to  have  white  lead  in  all  the  joints.  They 
are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  quarter  thick  with  three  battens,  each  six  inches  wide,  hinged  with  hooks  and  straps  and  secured 
by  a  hasp  and  padlock. 

WINDOWS. — All  are  to  be  alike  in  construction.  The  sash  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  half  thick  and  double  hung  -with 
axle  pullies  and  patent  cord.  There  are  to  be  shutters  within  having  two  folds  to  each  jam,  and  cut  half  way  up  opposite 
the  meeting  rails  of  the  sash.  These  shutters  arc  to  be  hung  with  back  flap  hinges,  and  are  to  fold  into  soffits  formed  in  the 
jambs  for  their  reception.  They  are  to  be  one  inch  and  a  quarter  thick,  with  two  panels  to  each  division,  the  stiles  not 
being  over  one  inch  and  three  fourths  in  width.  The  frames  are  to  be  reveal  with  clean  heart  pine  sills.  The  cellar  windows 
are  to  have  sash  hinged  to  a  narrow  frame  and  secured  with  a  small  bolt.  Each  opening  is  to  have  three  iron  bars  without, 
built  in  the  wall.  There  is  also  to  be  a  circular  window,  as  shown  on  the  front  elevation,  having  a  pivot  sash,  to  light  the  loft. 

PARTITION. — The  partition  is  to  bo  constructed  as  shown  upon  the  detail  drawings.  The  sash  are  to  be  one  inch  and 
a  half  thick,  and  hung  to  balance  each  other,  with  patent  cord  passing  over  one  pair  of  axle  pullies  to  each  window,  so  that 
as  the  lower  sash  descends  the  upper  one  will  ascend.  The  wainscoting  will  receive  the  lower  sash  and  the  upper  will  pass 
into  the  wainscoting  above.  There  are  to  be  three  iron  posts  in  the  first  story,  and  three  wooden  ones  in  the  second,  cor- 
responding in  appearance,  to  give  support  to  the  sash  and  girders. 

DRESSINGS. — The  dressings  to  the  doors  and  windows  are  to  be  an  architrave  and  moulding,  in  all  eight  inches  wide. 
That  of  the  windows  is  to  be  furred  out  at  the  jambs,  giving  sufficient  space  for  the  blinds.  Outside  there  is  to  be  a  hood- 
mould  over  each  opening,  and  a  sill  beneath,  both  of  wood.  All  the  rooms  are  to  be  wainscoted  to  the  height  of  the  window 
sills,  properly  secured,  neatly  capped  and  otherwise  corresponding  with  the  lower  part  of  the  partition  exhibited  on  the 
plate.  The  wall  next  the  stairs  is  to  have  wainscoting  passing  up  the  entire  distance  of  the  stairway.  In  each  vestibule 
there  are  to  be  at  least  two  hundred  and  fifty  clothes  hooks  secured  to  wall  strips,  as  may  be  directed.  The  cornice  brackets, 
&c,  are  to  be  constructed  according  to  the  drawings.  The  belfry  is  to  be  put  together  strongly  of  light  materials,  for  the 
reception  of  the  bell,  placed  at  the  junction  of  the  roofs,  and  finished  as  detailed  on  the  plates. 

VENTIDUCTS. — Each  room  is  to  have  a  wooden  ventiduct  placed  in  the  angle  diagonally  from  the  warm  air  flues,  made 
of  thoroughly  seasoned  lumber,  nine  by  fourteen  inches  outside,  smooth  on  all  sides  and  grooved  together  with  white  lead  in 
joints,  so  as  to  be  perfectly  air  tight.  Each  duct  is  to  have  two  openings  equal  to  its  capacity,  one  near  the  floor  and  the 
other  near  the  ceiling.  The  first  will  have  a  tight  door,  hinged  below  to  drop  inwards,  and  the  one  at  the  ceiling  will  revolve 
and  be  so  arranged  as  to  be  moved  at  pleasure  by  means  of  a  cord.  These  ducts  are  all  to  connect  immediately  under  the 
apex  of  the  rear  pediment,  with  one  equal  in  capacity  to  all  the  four ;  this  is  to  pass  up  to  the  roof  and  there  be  surmounted 
with  one  of  Emerson's  patent  ejecting  ventilators,  of  fifteen  inch  calibre. 

PLASTERING,  &c. — All  the  walls  and  ceilings  are  to  have  two  coats  of  brown  mortar  and  one  of  white  hard  finisli. 
The  mortar  must  be  composed  of  good  clean  sharp  sand  and  wood  burnt  lime,  in  such  proportions  as  will  insure  firm  smooth 
plaster.    The  laths  must  be  sound  and  free  from  bark. 

The  exterior  of  the  building  is  to  be  rough  cast  in  the  best  and  most  approved  manner,  of  such  a  tint  as  may  be  directed, 
and  laid  off  in  blocks,  so  as  to  appear  like  dressed  stone. 

DEAFENING. —  The  second  floor  must  be  deafened  by  nailing  cleats  to  the  sides  of  the  joists,  and  then  flooring  them  so 
that  the  surface  of  the  floor  will  be  three  inches  below  the  top  of  the  joists.    This  space  must  be  filled  with  coarse  mortar. 

PAINTING  AND  GLAZING. — All  wood  work  within  and  without  must  have  three  coats  of  pure  lead  paint,  mixed  with 
the  best  linseed  oil.  The  wainscoting  throughout  must  be  tinted  and  grained  to  represent  old  oak,  and  have  two  coats  of 
varnish,  so  also  the  doors  and  door  and  window  frames  externally.  The  hood-moulds  and  sills  must  be  tinted  and  sanded 
to  represent  stone.    The  cornice  brackets  and  cupola  must  be  of  an  approved  tint. 

All  sash  must  be  glazed  with  the  best  American  glass,  well  bedded,  bradded  and  back  puttied. 

IRON  WORK. — The  iron  posts  in  the  first  story  supporting  the  glass  partitions,  are  to  be  three  by  six  inches,  including 


SCHOOL-HOUSES. 

the  flanges.  The  bolts  for  the  girders  are  all  to  be  made  of  three-quarter  inch  round  iron.  A  lightning  rod  is  to  be  placed 
against  the  cupola,  extending  at  least  four  feet  above  its  highest  point  and  terminating  in  a  platinum  point,  the  cost  of  which 
must  not  be  less  than  four  dollars.  The  lower  part  of  the  rod  is  to  be  welded  to  an  iron  bar  one  inch  and  a  half  square, 
which  must  be  driven  into  the  earth  at  least  four  feet.  Provide  all  other  iron  work  necessary  to  complete  the  building  in  a 
satisfactory  manner. 

TIN  WORK. — The  roof  is  to  be  overlaid  with  the  best  quality  one  cross  leaded  roofing  tin,  painted  on  both  sides,  the 
upper  receiving  two  coats.  Provide  of  the  same  material  all  necessary  gutters  and  conductors  to  convey  the  water  to  the 
ground.  The  conductors  must  be  three  inches  in  diameter,  with  shoes  and  spout  stones,  and  secured  to  the  wall  in  a  sub- 
stantial manner. 

FURNACE. — The  building  is  to  be  warmed  by  one  of  Chilson's  No.  5  furnaces,  properly  set  in  the  brick  case  prepared 
for  its  reception  in  the  cellar.  The  registers  throughout  are  to  be  ten  by  fourteen  inches,  and  the  whole  arrangement  is  to 
be  completed  in  accordance  with  the  latest  improvements. 

FINALLY. — The  contractor  is  to  furnish  at  his  own  cost  and  expense  all  the  materials  and  workmanship  necessary  to 
complete  the  building  in  all  its  parts  as  above  described,  in  accordance  with  the  plans  and  details  and  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  Board  of  Controllers. 


A  N    ORIENTAL  VILLA. 
DESIGN  EIGHTEENTH. 

The  style  of  building  which  has  prevailed  among  the  most  civilized  nations  of  the  East,  and  which  was  introduced  by  the 
Moors  into  Spain  differs  essentially  from  any  other  species  of  architecture.  The  horse-shoc  arch  and  the  minaret  are  the 
two  most  prominent  distinguishing  features,  but  throughout  the  whole  style  of  finishing  and  the  character  of  the  embellish- 
ments are  materially  distinct,  and  it  therefore  possesses  just  claims  to  be  considered  a  style  in  architecture.  Every  one 
whose  judgment  and  taste  may  be  considered  as  authority  in  these  matters,  speaks  of  this  eastern  style  as  beautiful,  but  the 
immense  quantity  of  carving  required  in  order  to  give  it  full  effect,  prevents  it  from  being  used  to  any  great  extent  by  us. 

On  Plate  LXXII.  we  present  the  front  elevation  of  a  building  which  is  ornamented  with  some  of  the  characteristics  of 
this  stvle,  and  the  plate  below  exhibits  the  rear  elevation  of  the  same  building.  It  would  be  sheer  folly  to  introduce  the 
original  pure  style  into  this  country,  for  no  wise  man  will  sacrifice  his  comfort  in  order  to  secure  consistency  in  the  appear- 
ance of  his  house  with  those  which  have  been  built  in  other  countries,  in  other  climates,  and  perhaps  for  other  purposes 
by  people  with  different  customs.  Our  style  of  living  is  totally  unlike  that  in  the  East,  and  were  we  to  build  just 
such  houses  as  they  have,  we  would  certainly  part  with  comfort.  This  last  is  of  the  first  importance.  Let  every  one 
arrange  his  dwelling  so  as  to  secure  the  greatest  amount  of  convenience,  and  then  exercise  his  judgment  in  decoration. 
"We  hold  that,  in  a  manner,  each  building  is  an  independent  being,  and  if  it  be  consistent  with  itself  both  internally  and 
externally,  and  as  to  its  purpose,  then  no  fault  can  be  found  with  it  on  that  score.  Many  buildings  similar  to  the  one 
here  given  have  been  erected  in  this  country  and  command  universal  admiration.  The  best  location  would  be  on  the  banks 
of  some  of  our  noble  streams,  the  Mississippi  or  the  Hudson. 

The  ground  plans  of  the  design  are  exhibited  on  plate  LXXIV.  The  drawing  room  and  dining  room  communicate 
with  the  ante-room  by  wide  sliding  doors,  so  that  on  occasion  the  three  may  be  thrown  into  one.  The  front  part  of  this 
ante-room  might  be  partitioned  off  so  as  to  give  a  vestibule.  In  connexion  with  the  library  a  fire-proof  closet  is  arranged 
for  the  reception  of  valuable  papers,  books,  plate,  &c.    The  whole  house  is  designed  to  be  warmed  by  a  cellar  furnace* 


1 


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AN    OEIENTAL    VILLA.  77 

and  the  position  of  the  gas  flues  and  ■warm  air  flues  are  exhibited.  There  are  also  rooms  in  the  attic  lighted  by  round 
•windows  which  may  be  seen  beneath  the  cornice  on  the  front  elevation. 

Plate  LXXV.  consists  of  details.  Fig.  1  is  the  outside  dressings  of  the  front  windows  of  the  wings.  Fig.  2,  the  porch 
front.    Fig.  3,  section  of  the  pillar.    Fig.  4,  side  view  of  the  wing  balcony. 

Plate  LXXVI.  is  also  of  details.  Fig.  1,  minaret  on  the  corner.  Fig.  2,  cornice,  brackets  and  windows  of  the  tower. 
Fig.  3,  section  of  the  same.  Fig.  4,  cupola  of  the  tower.  Fig.  5,  section  of  the  same.  Fig.  6,  minaret  of  the  front 
porch.    Fig.  7,  main  cornice,  brackets,  &c.    Fig.  8,  paneling.    More  minute  description  of  this  building  is  unnecessary. 


CIRCULAR  STAIRS. 

Upon  the  plate  facing  this  page  will  be  found  diagrams  for  planning  a  geometrical  stairway,  and  for  obtaining  the 

moulds  by  which  to  cut  out  the  hand-rail.    They  were  furnished  for  our  work  by  John  S.  Basehore,  Esq.,  stair-builder 

of  this  city,  and  undoubtedly  comprise  the  simplest  and  most  complete  method  now  in  use,  being  far  superior,  as  practice 

has  shown,  to  the  old  cord-line  method.    They  are  called  trammel  drawings,  because  that  instrument  is  used  to  draw  the 

sections  of  ellipses.    The  following  concise  explanation  of  the  diagrams  may  be  useful  to  aid  in  comprehending  them. 

In  preparing  to  build  a  stairway  we  must  first  draw  a  vertical  projection,  as  in  Fig.  1.    This  is  quite  a  small  stairway, 
but  sufficient  for  our  purpose.    The  framing  of  the  carriages  is  shown  by  the  dotted  lines. 

To  obtain  the  falling  mould  for  that  part  of  the  hand-rail  which  lies  between  A  and  B,  Fig.  1,  or  B  and  C,  we  take  the 
distance  AB  on  the  inner  side  of  the  string,  by  the  stretch-out,  and  have  AB=FG.  Now  in  Fig.  2,  we  draw  AB  equal  to 
FG,  Fig.  1,  and  on  the  perpendicular  (Fig.  2)  we  take  AC  equal  to  the  sum  of  the  heights  of  the  risers  between  the  points 
A  and  B,  Fig.  1.  Join  B  and  C,  Fig.  2,  and  take  ab  equal  to  the  thickness  of  the  rail,  and  draw  cbd.  Erect  the 
perpendicular  B  c  and  draw  a  b  so  that  its  centre  will  lie  in  B  c.    Also  let  the  centre  of  the  other  butt  lie  in  C  d. 

The  face  mould  for  the  same  part  of  the  rail  is  obtained  as  follows.  Draw  the  quadrant  oA  bB,  Fig.  3,  with  a  radius 
equal  to  OA,  Fig.  1,  and  take  AG  equal  to  the  width  of  the  rail,  and  draw  CaD.  Draw  AB  and  erect  the  perpendiculars 
D  e,  BG,  a  0  and  C  d.  Take  BG  equal  to  AC,  Fig.  2,  and  through  G  and  d  draw  e  d.  At  the  point  I  where  a  0  meets 
ed  erect  IK  perpendicular  to  e  d.  Take  10  equal  to  of,  and  draw  LM  perpendicular  to  IK.  These  lines,  IK  and  LM, 
are  the  trammel  lines.  Take  Ig  equal  to  f  b,  and  gh  equal  to  b  a.  Fix  the  trammel  on  the  lines  IK  and  LM,  and  then 
describe  Ggll.  Draw  eE  perpendicular  to  e  d,  and  also  draw  OE  and  OF.  Again  with  the  trammel  describe  EliF.  This 
gives  us  EFGII,  the  face  mould.  This  is  laid  upon  a  plank  as  thick  as  the  width  of  the  rail,  and  marked.  Then  the  rake 
bevel  shown  in  the  figure  is  applied  at  the  point  G  to  get  the  corresponding  point  on  the  other  side,  when  the  mould  is 
again  set  and  marked.  After  this  is  cut  from  the  plank  the  falling  mould  is  applied  to  the  edge,  and  the  piece  again 
marked  and  cut,  thus  giving  the  exact  shape  of  the  rail.    The  ovcrwood,  from  which  the  butt  is  cut,  is  also  shewn. 

To  obtain  the  falling  mould  for  that  portion  of  the  rail  which  lies  between  C  and  D,  Fig.  1,  and  that  between  D  and  A 
in  ascending  a  second  flight  beginning  over  the  second  step  of  this,  take  the  whole  stretch-out,  EG,  Fig.  1,  and  lay  it  down 
from  A  to  B,  Fig.  4.  Lot  fall  the  perpendicular  Bh,  and  take  cB  equal  to  ae  in  Fig.  1.  Now  draw  the  steps  c  oi  and 
defg,  and  extend  Ag.  Through  the  point  C  in  the  middle  of  the  line  AB,  draw  the  perpendicular  FD,  and  take  EC 
equal  to  J-  e  d.  Draw  now  gEi.  Take  EF  equal  to  the  thickness  of  the  rail,  and  through  F  draw  a  line  parallel  to  gEi. 
The  centres  of  the  extreme  butts  will  lie  in  Bh  and  Ag  respectively.    Draw  Dn  parallel  to  AB  through  the  point  n. 

It  now  only  remains  to  obtain  the  corresponding  face  mould.  Draw  the  quadrant  oADB,  Fig.  5,  similar  to  oAbB  in 
Fig.  3.  Make  Ac  equal  the  width  of  the  rail,  and  draw  cla.  From  the  point  b  midway  between  c  and  A,  draw  b  d 
equal  to  DE  on  Fig.  4,  and  parallel  to  0  a.  Through  d  and  0  draw  the  trammel  line  ML,  and  perpendicular  to  this 
through  0  draw  the  other,  IK.  Let  oK=oI,  and  oC=oD.  Draw  also  Mc  and  AE  parallel  to  d  b.  Now  place  the 
trammel  as  exhibited  on  the  lines,  and  draw  EC  and  KM.  Then  is  KMEC  the  face  mould.  The  strip  beyond  ME 
must  remain  attached  to  the  mould.  The  edge  MV  is  ranged  with  the  edge  of  the  plank,  and  the  mould  marked. 
This  edge  must  then  be  beveled  with  the  spring  bevel  whose  lower  side  is  parallel  to  oa.  The  edge  MV  is  placed  against  Q 
the  beveled  edge  on  the  other  side,  the  mould  marked  and  the  piece  cut  out. 

20 


! 


THE  MORTAR. 


T  will  doubtless  be  a  matter  of  surprise  to  some  that  this  subject  should  receive  an  extended 
notice,  although  really  it  is  of  the  highest  importance.  Unfortunately,  however,  it  is  one  of 
the  points  in  which  little  or  no  care  is  exercised,  and  the  master  mason  usually  builds  with 


mortar  prepared  either  by  a  careless  apprentice  or  an  ignorant  laborer.  He  never  thinks  of 
the  permanence  of  his  work,  unless  it  be  surrounded  by  extraordinary  destructive  agents, 
but  if  the  finished  structure  stands,  he  and  his  employer  are  satisfied.  But  in  the  present 
day,  when  our  walls  are  built  so  thin  and  lofty  and  are  often  veneered  upon  the  outside  with  slabs 
of  marble  or  granite,  a  mortar  should  be  used  that  will  bind  the  mass  together,  and  make 
the  whole  as  one  stone,  otherwise  premature  decay  will  continue  to  crumble  our  dwellings, 
and  our  cities  and  villages,  as  indeed  is  now  the  case,  will  require  rebuilding  every  few  years.  It 
is  time  that  all  interested  should  be  aroused  to  attend  to  this  matter,  more  neglected  perhaps 
than  any  of  the  many  neglected  processes  connected  with  erection  of  ordinary  buildings.  There 
have  been  a  few  treatises  on  mortars  published  by  those  whose  position  has  interested  and  enabled 
them  to  experiment  extensively,  but  the  little  light  admitted  by  these  researches  seems  to  show  that  we 
are  almost  void  of  any  knowledge  of  the  subject.  What  we  shall  say  is  mainly  derived  from  such  sources, 
and  combined  with  a  little  practical  knowledge  acquired  by  observation,  may  serve  to  awaken  inquiry  in 
the  minds  of  some  who  have  as  yet  treated  longer  and  more  complete  essays  with  indifference. 

Mortar  may  be  described  in  a  general  way  as  a  compound  of  various  substances  capable  of  entering  into 
a  chemical  combination  that  indurates  the  mass,  attaching  it  at  the  same  time  to  the  building  materials, 
and  thus  binding  them  firmly  and  lastingly  together.  One  of  these  ingredients  is  sand,  of  which  little 
need  be  said,  but  that  little  is  important.  It  consists  essentially  of  silica  or  quartz,  the  purer  the  better 
except  in  the  case  of  arenes,  the  foreign  matter  in  which  is  of  a  nature  to  increase  its  value.  Sea- 
sand,  when  none  other  is  accessible,  must  be  thoroughly  washed  in  order  to  free  it  from  the  salt  with 
which  it  is  impregnated,  and  indeed  in  all  cases  the  sand  should  be  washed  and  sifted.  River-sand  when 
well  selected  will  answer  every  purpose,  but  pit-sand,  when  economically  obtained,  is  preferable.  The 
former  is  generally  cleanest,  but  the  grains  composing  it  are  apt  to  be  rounded  in  their  passage  down  the 
stream,  and  it  consequently  contains  fine  powder,  the  result  of  the  abrasion,  which  must  be  avoided.  The 
grains  of  pit-sand  never  having  been  subjected  to  such  action  are  sharp  and  angular,  and  therefore,  as  will 
U    hereafter  appear,  are  much  better  fitted  in  this  respect  for  the  purposes  of  the  builder.  g{ 


m^^-  ■ —  ^£ 

M  THE  MORTAR.  79 

^  The  other  essential  and  most  important  ingredient  of  mortar  is  lime.  The  limestone  yielding  it  is  found 
native,  and  contains  in  addition  a  certain  amount  of  carbonic  acid  chemically  combined,  thus  forming 
a  carbonate  of  lime.  Before  the  lime  is  fit  for  use  this  acid  must  be  expelled  by  calcination  in 
kilns,  which  is  always  accompanied  by  a  loss  of  weight  to  the  amount  of  about  forty-five  per  cent.,  which 
includes  also  the  water.  A  high  degree  of  heat  is  requisite  to  disengage  the  carbonic  acid,  and  the  whole 
process  is  one  requiring  experience  and  care.  The  smaller  the  pieces  of  limestone  are  the  less  is  the  time 
required,  the  disengagement  of  the  acid  being  greatly  aided  also  by  having  them  moist  when  placed  in 
the  kiln,  but  still  a  good  red  heat  must  be  maintained  for  several  hours,  varying  in  number  according  to 
circumstances.  This  heat  too  must  gradually  be  augmented,  since  the  last  remaining  portions  of  the  acid 
are  most  difficult  of  expulsion.  It  requires  no  small  amount  of  skill  to  know  how  much  heat  to  apply,  and 
when  to  stop  the  process.  Some  of  the  best  limestones  if  over  heated  are  rendered  useless  or  "  killed,"  and 
often  the  calcination  must  be  stopped  before  all  the  acid  is  expelled.  With  the  rich  limestones  an 
almost  inexplicable  case  obtains.  If  a  certain  portion  of  the  acid  be  retained  the  lime  is  excellent ;  if  the 
burning  cease  at  the  point  when  all  the  acid  is  expelled  the  lime  is  almost  useless,  and  if  it  be  continued 
for  a  certain  time  beyond  this  point  the  lime  is  again  excellent,  except  that  it  is  apt  to  swell  in  setting. 
Unfortunately,  so  little  is  certainly  known  that  we  cannot  yet  give  definite  directions  on  the  calcination 
of  limestones,  although  it  is  as  important  as  any  other  point  connected  with  our  general  subject;  but  as 
Mr.  Burnell,  who  is  perhaps  the  most  recent  and  best  authority,  says  : — "  At  present  our  best  guide  is 
experience,  and  a  kilnsman  who  has  watched  the  action  of  his  own  kiln  for  years  knows  more  upon  the 
subject  than  the  first  theoretician  in  the  world." 

The  lime  thus  obtained  is  by  no  means  chemically  pure,  but  always  contains  a  variable  quantity  of 
clay,  which  consists  of  alumina  and  silex  together  with  certain  other  substances  in  such  small  quantities 
however,  that  they  may  be  disregarded.  But  the  result  is  materially  affected  by  the  proportion  of  alumina 
and  silex  which  may  exist  in  the  lime.  The  varieties  thus  produced  will  be  spoken  of  as  lime,  hydraulic 
lime  and  cement.  Villeneuve  thus  classifies  them  and  says : — "  The  calcination  of  the  carbonate  of  lime 
containing  from  one  to  six  per  cent,  of  clay  produces  ordinary  lime  ;  if  the  quantity  of  the  clay  be  greater 
(equal  to  from  six  to  twenty-three  per  cent.)  the  lime  is  suitable  to  be  made  into  hydraulic  mortar.  Beyond 
twenty-three  to  twenty-seven  per  cent,  of  clay  the  result  of  the  calcination  of  the  calcareous  compound  is 
termed  cement.  Practical  experience  has  shown  that  between  lime  suitable  for  hydraulic  purposes,  and 
cements  a  line  of  demarcation  exists  in  the  form  of  the  lime  containing  about  twenty-three  to  twenty-eight 
per  cent,  of  clay.  This  combination  neither  slacks  into  powder  when  wetted  with  water,  nor  does  it  cohere 
permanently  when  mixed  with  water  and  beaten  together."  But  this  can  only  be  regarded  as  a  general 
statement  which  may  fail  in  practice,  and  hence  the  selection  of  a  limestone  should  rest  mainly  on  experiment. 
Vicat,  whose  extensive  and  valuable  researches  gave  the  first  impulse  to  enquiry  on  the  subject,  says  : — 
"The  physical  characters  which  serve  to  distinguish  calcareous  compounds  fail  to  give  any  certain 


$cn  THE  MORTAR. 

^  indication  of  the  qualities  of  the  lime  they  contain.  Even  chemical  analysis  is  but  an  approximate  mode 
of  investigating  them.  Experience  by  actual  trial  ought  to  be  the  builder's  only  guide."  We  may  remark 
in  passing  that  the  limestones  of  the  United  States  are  very  generally  characterized  by  containing  a  large 
amount  of  magnesia  which  seems  to  unfit  most  of  them  for  building  purposes. 

Before  the  mortar  is  compounded  the  lime  must  be  slacked.  It  is  a  well  known  property  of  caustic  lime 
to  combine  powerfully  with  water,  forming  what  is  technically  termed  the  hydrate  of  lime,  or  in  common 
parlance,  slacked  lime.  This  action  is  accompanied  by  the  evolution  of  considerable  heat,  and  the  lumps 
decrepitate  into  powder  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  after  which  the  whole  will  be  found  to  have  increased 
in  weight  according  to  the  quantity  of  water  combined.  The  rich  limes  should  always  be  slacked  by 
gradually  adding  water  and  allowing  them  to  remain  wet,  for  these  limes  will  retain  their  plastic  state 
beneath  the  water,  until  the  effect  is  thoroughly  accomplished.  We  are  told  the  Romans  had  a  law  that 
the  lime  should  not  be  used  until  it  had  laid  in  a  moist  state  for  three  years.  This  it  was  supposed 
would  give  ample  time  for  the  most  minute  particles  to  become  hydrated. 

The  case  however  is  different  with  the  hydraulic  limes,  and  the  better  their  quality  the  more  imperfect 
will  be  the  comminution  of  the  lumps.  It  is  therefore  essential,  we  may  say,  that  they  should  be  brought 
to  a  state  of  fine  division  before  slacking,  either  by  pounding  them,  or  much  better,  when  the  magnitude  of 
the  work  justifies  the  expense,  by  grinding  them  in  a  mill.  Another  reason  why  this  should  be  done  is 
that  very  soon  after  slacking  the  hydraulic  lime  begins  to  set,  and  hence  everything  which  facilitates 
the  rapidity  of  mixture  and  use  adds  to  its  value.  After  being  ground  it  should  be  slacked  by 
sprinkling  with  water  and  working  the  paste  until  the  slacking  be  thorough  and  complete,  which 
is  important,  since  limes  swell  in  slacking  and  will  therefore  disintegrate  the  mortar  if  not  fully  hydrated. 

We  have  remarked  that  the  limes  containing  from  six  to  twenty-three  per  cent,  of  clay  are  suitable 
for  hydraulic  mortars.  The  great  superiority  of  these  has  led  to  their  artificial  production  by  mixing 
various  foreign  substances  with  the  rich  limes.  It  was  ascertained  that  the  Roman  artizans  in  preparing 
their  mortar,  which  at  this  day  is  more  firm  than  the  building  stones,  mixed  with  their  lime  a  volcanic 
substance  called  puozzolano.  Subsequently  the  same  material  was  discovered  in  Germany,  where  it  is 
called  trass,  in  France  and  in  Scotland,  and  has  been  used  writh  wonderful  success.  It  consists  chiefly 
of  alumina  and  silex,  mixed  with  a  small  proportion  of  lime  and  highly  magnetic  oxide  of  iron.  When 
introduced  into  the  mortar  it  communicates  the  property  of  setting  with  great  rapidity  even  under  water, 
and  of  retaining  a  firmness  and  cohesive  power  for  ages,  after  the  manner  of  natural  hydraulic  mortar. 

Some  clays  after  a  moderate  calcination  are  found  to  possess  the  same  properties  to  a  very  considerable 
extent  when  not  subjected  to  the  action  of  sea  water.  Their  composition  is  nearly  the  same  as  that  of  the 
puozzolanos,  but  the  components  are  hydrated  and  this  water  must  be  driven  off  by  the  calcination. 
Mr.  Burnell  thinks  that  the  lime  and  clay  should  be  calcined  together  so  that  a  more  intimate  mixture  may 
be  secured,  thereby  favoring  chemical  action.    Experiment  at  present  is  the  only  way  to  test  the  goodness 


) 


THE  MORTAR.  81 
<j)  of  the  clay  and  the  degree  of  calcination.  The  Romans  often  used  pounded  bricks  or  tiles,  and  the  slag 
and  scoriae  from  iron  furnaces  are  also  excellent  ingredients.  They  must  previously  be  reduced  to  a  powder, 
and  only  those  are  fit  for  the  purpose  which  will  dissolve  or  become  gelatinous  under  the  action  of 
muriatic  acid.  Ashes  of  various  kinds  have  also  been  successfully  tried,  but  before  mixture  they  must 
be  freed  from  the  alkalies  by  washing. 

Experience  has  shown  that  the  best  plan  in  preparing  mortar  is  first  to  bring  the  lime  to  the  consistence 
of  a  smooth  and  uniform  paste  before  adding  the  components.  The  sand  must  be  gradually  intermixed  and 
the  whole  thoroughly  worked  together.  This  is  a  point  usually  but  little  attended  to,  but  nevertheless 
is  of  great  importance.  The  more  the  mortar  is  worked  the  more  sand  will  it  take,  and  the  greater  will 
be  its  durability.  The  old  Romans,  Vitruvius  says,  had  a  proverb  that  mortar  should  be  moistened  with 
the  sweat  of  the  brow.  It  may  be  proper  to  observe  that  in  the  case  of  hydraulic  mortar  this  working  must 
be  done  with  many  hands  since  it  is  requisite  that  it  should  be  placed  in  position  as  soon  as  possible.  As 
to  the  proportionate  quantity  of  the  sand  to  the  lime,  again  we  cannot  be  definite,  so  much  does  it  depend 
on  the  various  qualities  of  the  latter ;  we  may  state,  however,  that  the  rich  limes  require  a  larger 
quantity  than  the  hydraulic.  Vicat  thinks  it  better  to  err  in  a  deficiency  than  an  excess  of  lime  in 
mortar  made  from  the  rich  limes,  and  vice  versa  with  that  from  hydraulic  limes.  According  to  Vitruvius, 
the  Romans  prescribed  three  parts  of  coarse  sand  to  one  of  lime ;  and  according  to  Pliny,  four  of  the  former 
to  one  of  the  latter.  In  compounding  the  artificially  hydraulic  limes,  such  proportions  must  be  used  as 
experiment  shows  to  be  best.  Except  where  both  are  calcined  together  the  clay,  burnt  and  powdered, 
must  be  mixed  with  the  lime  after  slacking  and  before  the  sand  is  introduced. 

The  setting  frequently  alluded  to  is  an  imperfect  crystallization  by  which  the  whole  becomes  converted 
into  an  indurated  crystalline  mass.  The  result  is  greatly  aided  by  the  sharp  angles  of  the  sand  grains 
which  afford  nuclei  for  this  crystallization,  and  are  points  of  attachment  by  which  the  whole  is  firmly 
bound  together.  On  this  principle,  also,  the  mortar  adheres  to  the  stone  or  brick  of  which  the  wall  is 
constructed.  In  the  ordinary  mortars,  those  composed  of  rich  lime  and  sand,  the  crystalline  portion  is 
carbonate  of  lime,  and  hence  if  all  the  carbonic  acid  be  expelled  in  the  calcination  it  must  be  reabsorbed 
from  the  air  before  the  setting  can  take  place.  This  is  a  slow  process.  The  mortar  may  become 
somewhat  dry  in  the  course  of  a  few  days  and  possess  a  slight  cohesive  power,  but  it  may  require  years  in 
order  to  become  thoroughly  indurated.  There  have  been  cases  where  walls  a  hundred  and  fifty  years  old 
were  found  to  contain  on  the  interior  mortar  as  soft  and  fresh  as  the  day  it  was  laid.  This  justifies  the 
French  proverb  that  mortar  of  a  hundred  years  is  still  young,  and  shows  the  importance  of  using, 
where  it  is  possible,  those  mortars  that  do  not  depend  on  the  absorption  of  carbonic  acid  for 
induration. 

Such  is  the  case  with  hydraulic  mortars  both  artificial  and  natural.    They  set  in  a  few  hours  after  being 
I D   prepared  ;  hence  we  must  believe,  and  indeed  subsequent  analysis  shows  that  the  crystalline  substance  is 


ii 


82  THE  MOKTAR. 

not  carbonate  of  lime,  but  some  other  chemical  compound  of  the  several  ingredients.  Upon  the  nature  of 
this,  however,  chemists  are  not  as  jet  fully  prepared  to  pronounce. 

The  hydraulic  mortars  have  engaged  most  of  our  attention,  because  of  them  little  is  practically  known, 
and  they  certainly  are  of  the  first  importance.  The  name  hydraulic  is  given  them  because  of  their 
property  of  setting  under  water,  and  heretofore  they  have  been  used  almost  exclusively  for  marine  and  other 
hydraulic  works.  It  is  highly  important,  however,  that  we  should  possess  and  put  into  practice  the  means 
of  giving  greater  durability  and  security  to  our  ordinary  buildings,  and  there  is  no  reason  why  the 
hydraulic  mortars  should  not  be  used  to  this  end.  They  act  equally  well,  if  not  better,  in  air,  and  with 
skill  can  doubtless  be  made  so  economically  that  the  difference  in  expense  is  no  ground  of  preference 
for  ordinary  mortars.  It  is  only  necessary  that  the  experiment  be  made  a  few  times.  Success  is  certain, 
and  will  be  the  greatest,  the  most  valuable  advance  in  modern  construction.  Of  cements  little  has  been 
said,  since  they  are  rather  disconnected  with  the  peculiar  views  which  we  wished  to  inculcate.  It  is 
nevertheless  gratifying  to  know  that  their  composition  and  properties  are  being  thoroughly  examined,  and 
the  recent  experiments  at  the  World's  Exhibition  show  that  little  is  left  to  be  desired  in  the  accomplishment 
of  the  purposes  to  which  they  are  particularly  adapted. 


A    VILLAGE  CHURCH. 
DESIGN  NINETEENTH. 


Tills  is  the  first  design  for  a  church  introduced  into  our  work.  It  is  after  the  Romanesque  style,  but  nevertheless 
retains  the  general  outline  and  plan  usual  in  this  country  as  being  the  best  adapted  to  our  present  form  of  worship. 
"We  have  given  it  a  most  compact  arrangement,  but  at  the  same  time  have  been  quite  free  in  exterior  ornament.  There 
is  a  medium  to  be  observed  here.  We  view  with  natural  displeasure  any  parsimony  that  may  exhibit  itself  in  the  house 
of  God,  and  at  the  same  time  dislike  great  attention  to  physical  comfort,  or  lavish  expenditure  in  decoration  as  shewing 
too  much  regard  merely  to  the  place  of  worship.  The  building  should  possess  dignity,  nobleness,  grace,  and  be  free  from 
every  trace  of  gaudiness.  The  interior  should  be  comfortable  but  not  luxurious,  and  should  be  fitted  entirely  to  the 
form  of  worship.    Any  one  may  see  that  to  meet  all  these  requisitions  is  no  easy  matter. 

The  apartments  of  the  present  design  as  was  remarked,  have  been  compactly  but  we  hope  conveniently  arranged. 
Reference  to  the  floor  plans,  Plate  LXXIX.  will  explain  this  arrangement.  The  lecture  room  is  placed  in  the 
basement.  Around  three  sides  of  the  building  an  area  extends  as  deep  as  this  floor,  by  which  we  avoid  any  great  elevation 
of  the  body  of  the  building.  A  gallery  is  placed  in  the  church  on  small  iron  pillars,  and  is  attained  by  means  of  two 
stairways.  From  it  we  ascend  the  tower.  These  stairways  are  on  either  side  of  the  tower,  the  base  of  which  constitutes 
the  principal  vestibule  or  lobby. 


//ttfvy/A  MX.  a  J7.LYA/X. 


R  A  S  E  M  PI  XT. 

Scale  16  Keel  I o  [ li e  mrli  . 


■    8     j     4     S     0  10  ao  30  40  SO 


Sam1  Sloan  Arfl, 


(/V 


A    VILLAGE  CHURCH. 


83 


Plate  LXXX.  consists  of  details.  Fig.  1,  elevation  of  a  side  of  the  tower.  Fig.  2,  finial  of  the  tower.  Fig.  3,  window 
of  the  tower.  Fig.  4,  section  of  the  octagonal  part  of  the  tower.  Fig.  5,  section  of  Fig.  3.  Fig.  6,  finial  of  the  tower 
buttress.    Fig.  7,  finial  of  the  corner. 

Plate  LXXXI.  is  also  of  details.  Fig.  1,  the  cornice  and  corbel  course  of  the  front.  Fig.  2,  section  through  the  line 
a  b.  Fig.  3,  front  door.  Fig.  4,  section  of  the  front  door.  Fig.  5,  moulding  of  the  triangular  panels.  Fig.  6,  round 
window  of  the  tower.    Fig.  7,  section  of  the  window. 

The  building  is  forty-three  feet  front  by  sixty  feet  deep ;  it  has  a  recess  on  the  rear  four  feet  deep,  and  the  tower  projects 
forward  four  feet.  From  the  basement  floor  to  the  main  floor,  which  is  three  feet  above  the  natural  surface,  is  ten  feet, 
and  from  thence  to  the  ceiling  twenty-two  feet.  The  walls  are  of  brick,  on  a  stone  foundation  as  high  as  the  basement 
floor,  and  are  two  feet  thick  to  the  second  floor,,  and  from  thence  eighteen  inches  to  the  square  of  the  building.  The 
panels  on  the  outside  walls  are  three  inches  deep,  and  those  on  the  buttresses  are  two  inches.  The  walls  of  the  tower  are 
two  feet  six  inches  to  the  first  floor,  and  from  thence  two  feet  thick  to  the  square.  The  octagonal  portion  is  entirely 
constructed  of  wood,  and  crowned  with  a  spire  and  finial.  It  is  proposed  to  enclose  the  spire  with  the  best  purple  slate,  in 
an  ornamental  pattern.  All  the  exterior  walls  are  to  be  rough-cast,  and  afterwards  coated  with  Silver's  plastic  paint. 
The  basement  contains  a  lecture  room,  a  vestry  or  school  room  and  a  robing  room,  which  last  has  stairs  in  the  recess  leading 
to  the  pulpit.  The  lecture  room  also  has  stairs  leading  beneath  the  gallery  stairs  to  the  principal  floor.  The  dimensions 
of  these  rooms  and  of  the  body  of  the  church  arc  marked  upon  the  plans.  The  seats  on  the  principal  floor  including  the 
gallery  would  comfortably  accommodate  three  hundred  persons. 

For  warming  this  building  we  would  recommend  a  Chilson  furnace,  No.  G,  which  is  the  most  effectual  and  durable  that 
has  come  under  our  notice.  This  furnace  should  be  located  under  the  basement  floor  near  the  tower,  and  will  require  an 
excavation  of  about  seven  feet  in  the  clear.  The  furnace  chamber  should  be  about  eight  feet  square,  and  constructed 
of  two  four  inch  walls  with  a  four  inch  space  between.  The  cold  air  must  be  introduced  through  an  underground  duct, 
in  size  about  twelve  by  thirty-six  inches  in  the  clear.  The  sides  and  bottom  may  be  of  brick  and  the  covering  of  flag 
stones.  This  duct  must  communicate  with  the  external  atmosphere  at  the  nearest  accessible  point,  and  be  protected  at  the 
opening  with  an  iron  grating.  Of  the  four  warm  air  flues  which  emanate  from  the  crown  of  the  chamber,  one  will  lead  to 
the  intersection  of  the  division  walls  in  the  basement,  so  that  it  may  communicate  with  the  robing  room,  vestry,  lecture 
room,  or  the  main  room  above.  Of  the  others  one  will  communicate  with  the  lecture  room,  and  the  other  two  with  the 
room  above.    By  this  arrangement  any  apartment  may  be  completely  warmed. 

To  thoroughly  ventilate  this  building  ventiducts  should  be  placed  in  the  wall  on  each  side  of  the  pulpit.  Likewise  in 
the  second  and  third  piers.  Each  of  these  ducts  should  be  at  least  nine  by  sixteen  inches  in  the  clear,  made  air-tight,  and 
smooth  on  the  inside.  Each  must  extend  from  the  floor  to  the  apex  of  the  roof,  at  which  point  they  are  connected  into 
one,  equal  in  capacity  to  all  the  others,  extending  a  few  inches  above  the  roof,  and  neatly  capped  with  one  of  Emerson's 
twenty-four  inch  ejecting  ventilators.  The  ducts  referred  to  must  have  valves  at  the  floor  and  ceiling  which  can  be  opened 
and  closed  as  the  temperature  of  the  room  may  require. 

The  cost  of  the  design  here  presented,  with  such  specifications  and  details  as  we  would  provide,  finished  in  the  best 
manner  within  and  without,  would  be  about  four  thousand  eight  hundred  dollars. 


ITALIAN  VILLA. 


DESIGN  TWENTIETH. 

Plate  LXXXII.  presents  the  front  elevation  of  an  Italian  Villa,  the  perspective  of  which  is  exhibited  on  the  plate 
below.  There  is  nothing  peculiar  in  this  design  to  call  forth  extended  remark.  Its  prominent  features  are  bold,  and  the 
details  are  plain  and  simple.  The  situation  best  suited  to  its  character  is  as  represented  in  the  midst  of  a  park,  with  a 
fine  command  of  prospect  and  surrounded  by  a  variety  of  shrubbery  and  trees.  It  may  be  placed  in  a  very  secluded 
position  and  yet  harmonize  strictly  with  objects  around.  Still  we  must  remember  that  the  character  of  the  style  is 
not  rural,  but  requires  surrounding  evidences  of  art  and  taste  to  give  it  consistency. 

Plate  LXXXIV.  exhibits  the  various  floor  plans.  The  one  beneath  is  of  the  basement  story  which  contains,  as  may 
be  seen,  both  dining  room  and  kitchen.  This  arrangement  possesses  many  superior  conveniences,  but  is  much  more 
extensively  used  in  England  than  in  this  country.  The  furnace  by  which  the  whole  building  is  warmed  is  placed  in  the 
middle  of  the  basement  and  within  a  double  brick  case.  It  is  in  a  position  where  it  cannot  incommode,  and  in  an  apartment 
that  could  be  used  for  nothing  else,  since  it  cannot  be  lighted. 

On  the  first  floor  to  which  we  ascend  by  the  stairs  beneath  the  hall  stairs,  there  are  five  apartments.  The  dotted  lines 
in  the  porch  shew  the  general  outline  of  a  pattern  of  flooring  tiles.  Indeed  it  would  be  well  to  floor  the  hall  with  either 
tiles  or  marble,  it  being  the  most  permanent  as  well  as  the  most  beautiful  style  in  use.  The  windows  of  the 
parlor,  drawing  room,  and  library  opening  into  the  verandahs  are  designed  to  reach  the  floor. 

The  second  story  contains  six  chambers,  and  will  readily  accommodate  a  family  of  eight  including  the  servants.  Above 
the  central  stairway  is  placed  a  sky-light  to  light  the  upper  hall.  The  narrow  stairway  leads  to  the  apartment  in  the 
tower.  The  roofs  above  the  verandahs  might  well  be  arranged  as  balconies,  in  which  case  there  might  be  additional 
windows  in  the  central  back  chamber  leading  out  on  them. 

Plate  LXXXV.  exhibits  the  details.  Fig.  1,  is  the  chimney-top.  Fig.  2,  side  view  of  the  same.  Fig.  3,  section  of  the 
gable  shewing  the  cornice  and  bracket.  Fig.  4,  cornice  of  the  eaves.  Fig.  5,  cornice  of  the  tower.  Fig.  6,  railing  of  the 
entrance.    Fig.  7,  section  of  the  same.    Fig.  8,  Finial  of  the  tower.    Fig.  9,  side  butment  of  the  same. 

The  basement  story  of  this  design  is  ten  feet  high  in  the  clear.  The  first  story  is  twelve  feet  eight  inches  from  floor  to 
floor,  and  the  second  story  is  eleven  feet  in  the  clear.  The  walls  of  the  basement  as  high  as  the  first  tier  of  joists  are  of 
stone,  and  eighteen  inches  thick.  All  other  walls  are  of  brick,  and  sixteen  inches  thick.  The  two  principal  division  walls 
are  also  of  brick,  but  all  others  are  stud  partitions.  The  main  roof  and  that  of  the  verandahs  and  tower  are  all  to  be  of 
tin  ribbed  in  the  manner  represented  on  the  front  elevation  and  details.  The  front  porch  is  to  be  entirely  open 
with  a  groined  vault  above,  and  the  front  door  also  is  to  have  an  arched  head.  The  whole  of  the  outside  wall  is 
to  rough-cast  in  the  best  manner,  and  all  outside  wood-work  except  the  door  and  window  frames  is  to  be  painted  in  the  same 
tint  as  the  rough-casting,  and  sanded.  All  the  windows  throughout  are  to  have  inside  shutters.  In  all  other  respects  the 
building  is  to  be  finished  in  the  same  way  as  similar  buildings  heretofore  described. 


PI  LXXX1I 


Design  XX   Fl  LXXXV. 


MASONRY. 


HE  next  point  to  which  our  attention  must  be  directed,  in  reviewing  the  process  of  building, 
is  the  wall.  It  may  be  constructed  of  various  materials,  as  stone,  brick,  or  wood,  each 
l£*35s>  of  which  requires  a  separate  consideration.  The  masonry  of  the  ancients  is  yet  unsur- 
passed. It  is  superior  to  that  of  modern  times,  not  only  in  its  exquisite  finish,  but  also  in  strength 
and  solidity,  and  in  the  gigantic  size  of  its  parts.  We  are  accustomed  to  consider  our  age  as  far 
beyond  any  preceding  one  in  the  possession  and  use  of  mechanical  power.  Perhaps  it  is  so ;  but  the 
fact  only  increases  our  wonder  when  examining  ancient  works,  and  forces  us  into  the  belief  that  they 
were  executed  by  an  unheard  of  amount  of  toil,  patience  and  expense.  In  old  Egyptian  architecture,  par- 
ticularly, it  is  not  uncommon  to  find  masonry  composed  of  stones  from  twenty-five  to  thirty  feet  long, 
elevated  to  great  heights,  and  evidently  brought  4Vom  great  distances.  In  the  great  temple  at  Baalbec, 
built  by  the  Romans,  "  about  twenty  feet  from  the  ground,  there  are  three  stones,  which  alone  occupy  one 
hundred  and  eighty-two  feet  nine  inches  in  length,  by  about  twelve  feet  thick ;  two  arc  sixty  feet,  and  the 
third  sixty-two  feet  nine  inches  in  length."  There  are  other  great  works  which  also  seem  to  rival  the 
might  of  Nature,  and  will,  in  all  probability,  stand  until  some  convulsion  occurs  great  enough  to  level  the 
mountains.  The  masonry  of  the  Egyptians  was  often  highly  finished,  but  the  Greeks  and  Romans  bear 
off  the  palm  in  this.  Their  walls  Avere  always  elegant,  the  surface  joints  fitting  with  the  utmost  nicety, 
and  the  facings  often  being  ornamented  with  bas  reliefs 

There  were  various  methods  which  the  ancients  adopted  in  putting  their  masonry  together,  and  those  in 
present  use  are  quite  similar.  Vitruvius  designates  them  as  the  "  opus  incertum,"  or  rubble  work,  the 
"isodomum,"  in  which  the  courses  were  of  equal  heights,  the  "  pseudisodomum,"  in  which  the  heights  were 
unequal,  and  the  "  emplectum,"  or  ashlar-work.  There  was,  besides,  the  "  opus  rcticulatum,"  so  called 
from  its  network  appearance,  the  joints  running  diagonally,  and  the  stones  often  having  the  shape  of  a 
rhombus  or  lozenge.  This  is  usually  considered  a  handsome  wall,  but  is  certainly  weak,  depending 
entirely  on  the  cohesion  of  the  mortar,  and  hence  is  undesirable. 

The  material  used  by  the  Greeks  and  Romans  was  principally  marble,  the  best  of  which  abounds  in 
that  part  of  the  continent,  and  all  their  heaviest  works  were  executed  without  mortar,  as  was  also  the 
case  with  the  Egyptians.  The  mere  weight  of  the  masonry  was  sufficient  to  give  it  stability,  but  some- 
times joggles  and  bonds  of  bronze  were  used.  The  common  thickness  of  Grecian  walls  was  seven  or  eight 
feet,  but  those  of  the  Acropolis  of  Pharsalia  arc  fifteen  feet  and  a  half  thick.    Sometimes  each  course  was 


8(5  MASONRY. 

a  single  row  of  blocks,  but  where  the  walls  were  of  great  thickness,  as  the  Acropolis,  the  "  emplectron" 
was  used.    Roman  walls  were  generally  lighter. 

The  masonry  of  the  mediaeval  architects  differed  essentially  from  that  which  preceded  it.  They  used 
almost  universally  granite  or  sandstone,  and  latterly  built  their  walls  quite  light.  Breadth  is  a  character- 
istic of  classical  architecture,  and  height  of  mediaeval  architecture.  During  the  age  of  the  latter  there  seem 
to  have  been  no  powerful  engines  for  raising  weights,  for  in  one  building,  foundation  stones  which  "would 
resist  the  efforts  of  many  men  to  lift,"  were  believed  to  have  been  placed  by  a  miracle.  All  the  stones 
were  generally  such  as  one  or  two  men  could  carry  up  a  scaffold ;  and  having  discarded  the  heavy  cornice, 
they  were  thus  enabled  to  attain  towering  heights.  The  Normans,  however,  built  very  thick  walls,  filling 
the  space  between  the  outer  and  inner  courses  with  rubble,  rag  masonry,  or  concrete.  In  the  earlier  times, 
the  whole  was  of  rubble  or  rag  masonry,  often,  if  not  always,  plastered  without  and  within.  The  media)val 
architects  never  gave  so  liigh  a  finish  to  their  masonry  and  sculptured  work  as  the  Greeks  and  Romans, 
probably  only  because  their  style  did  not  require,  nor  their  material  admit  of  it;  but  never,  before  nor 
since,  has  constructive  masonry  attained  such  perfection.  The  practice  of  the  pointed  arch  belonged 
exclusively  to  the  fraternity  of  freemasons,  and  the  rules  and  principles  which  governed  their  labor  were 
kept  secret,  and  have  been  lost  to  them  and  to  us.  Even  "with  the  specimens  before  our  eyes  we  are  unable 
to  fathom  many  of  these  principles,  so  that  one  of  the  greatest  of  modern  architects,  when  viewing  the 
arches,  vaulting  and  tracery  of  one  of  these  specimens,  remarked  that,  so  far  from  being  able  to  construct 
another  such,  he  could  not  tell  even  how  to  lay  the  first  stone. 

There  are  many  other  remains  of  ancient  masonry  scattered  over  the  globe,  which  are  interesting  from 
their  size  and  antiquity.  We  may  instance  Armenian  masonry,  which  has  joints  fitted  with  the  nicest 
art ;  the  walls  at  Tiryns  and  Mycena?,  alluded  to  by  Homer,  and  Stonehenge,  the  work  of  the  Druids.  In 
this  country  remains  of  ancient  and  excellent  masonry  have  been  found,  the  origin  and  object  of  which  are 
unknown.    A  description  of  some  of  these  has  been  published  by  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

The  materials  used  in  masonry  at  the  present  day  may  be  classified  as  the  granites,  the  sandstones 
and  the  limestones.  Granite  is  an  igneous  rock,  composed  of  grains  of  quartz,  mica  and  feldspar,  which 
having  been  partially  fused,  give  to  the  mass  a  granular  structure,  whence  its  name.  It  is  found  in 
large  quantities,  having  different  degrees  of  hardness,  and  the  various  proportions  of  its  components  give 
it  a  great  variety  of  color,  though  most  usually  it  is  gray.  There  is  a  species  of  granite  termed  by  the 
mineralogists  syenite,  which  contains  in  addition  hornblende,  and  this  is  found  to  be  the  most  durable. 
Granite  is  the  strongest  and  most  lasting  material,  but  it  is  most  suitable  for  a  plain  wall,  both  because 
of  the  difficulty  in  working  it,  and  also  because  the  effect  of  light  and  shadow  is  almost  lost  where  its 
color  is  gray.    The  Quincy  and  Quarryville  granites  are  perhaps  the  most  celebrated  in  this  country. 

Sandstone  is  a  less  durable,  but  a  much  cheaper  material.  It  is  supposed  to  be  an  aqueous  formation, 
the  sand  grains  being  cemented  together  by  carbonate  of  lime  and  oxide  of  iron.    In  it  also  there  is  a  con- 


MASONRY.  87 
siderable  variety  of  color,  and  indeed  nothing  can  compare,  for  rich  and  highly  finished  work,  with 
the  brown  sandstone,  such  as  that  obtained  from  Connecticut  and  New  Jersey.  Many  sandstones  are 
totally  unfit  for  building,  since  after  a  short  exposure  they  begin  to  decay.  The  public  buildings  at 
Washington  are  a  lamentable  instance  of  this  fact. 

Magnesian  limestone  was  used  in  Gothic  structures  to  some  extent,  and  in  St.  Paul's  at  London,  in  all  of 
which  buildings  the  ornaments  have  until  now  retained  their  sharpness.  It  is  believed  that  those  specimens 
are  best  in  which  the  quantities  of  lime  and  magnesia  are  most  nearly  equal.  Marble  seems  best  adapted  to 
the  classic  orders.  It  is  too  glaring  for  a  country  house,  and  we  may  point  to  Grace  church,  N.  Y.,  as  an 
expensive  instance  of  its  inaptitude  to  the  Gothic  style. 

There  is  one  material  which  we  wish  we  could  dwell  on  at  length,  the  serpentine  rock,  such  as  is  found 
in  Chester  county,  Pa.  Nothing  can  be  better  for  a  certain  class  of  cottages,  its  greenish  hue  giving  it  a 
rural  expression  of  the  most  pleasing  kind.  The  walls  already  built  of  it  promise  to  last  well,  and  we 
would  recommend  it,  wherever  it  can  be  obtained,  as  a  most  excellent  material,  and  more  easily  worked 
than  any  other,  since  it  is  soft  when  first  quarried  and  hardens  on  exposure. 

In  constructive  masonry  mention  may  be  made  first  of  the  rag  work  found  in  Norman  buildings.  The 
stones  are  flat,  not  often  larger  than  a  brick,  and  are  laid  horizontally.  If  the  mortar  be  good,  it  makes 
an  excellent  wall,  but  is  most  useful  for  filling  in.  Herring-bone  work  differs  from  this  in  the  stones 
being  somewhat  larger  and  laid  aslant  so  that,  with  pieces  of  different  lengths,  we  may  obtain  a  smooth 
upper  surface  for  the  succeeding  course  by  giving  them  different  inclinations.  The  Normans  sometimes  used 
this  externally  for  ornament,  and  it  is  found  also  in  Roman  work,  but  does  not  make  a  very  good  wall. 
Rubble  or  random  work,  the  "incertum"  of  the  Romans,  consists  in  the  use  of  stones  irregular  in  shape 
and  size,  just  as  they  come  from  the  quarry,  and  fitting  them  together  as  well  as  possible  in  the  wall, 
laying  the  largest  near  the  foundation.  This  makes  an  excellent  and  handsome  wall,  especially  for  Gothic 
cottages.  "We  have  once  before  mentioned  that  the  strength  of  this  masonry  depends  greatly  upon  the 
quality  of  the  mortar.  Care  must  be  taken  by  the  mason  to  avoid  this  dependence  wherever  it  is 
practicable,  which  he  may  do  by  laying  the  stones  as  flat  as  may  be  consistent  with  good  appearance. 
Rubble  is  the  cheapest  masonry,  excepting  rag  work,  and  answers  excellently  for  filling  in  or  backing,  in 
which  case  the  flatter  the  stones  are  the  better. 

Many  granites  split  from  the  quarry  in  blocks  with  parallel  surfaces,  which  have  the  same  direction  as 
the  lamina)  of  the  mica  grains.  Thus  we  are  often  enabled  to  obtain  it  in  nearly  the  most  desirable  shape 
without  the  expense  of  dressing.  A  wall  of  these  blocks  is  the  best  that  can  be  made  of  undressed  stone, 
and  under  the  name  of  coursed  work  we  may  include  with  it  masonry  of  dressed  stone.  The  former  is 
much  more  rural,  and  is  therefore,  as  a  general  thing,  better  adapted  for  buildings  in  the  country. 

The  last  kind  of  masonry  we  need  mention  is  that  usually  termed  ashlar  work.  The  outer  course  or 
facing  of  the  wall  is  composed  of  dressed  stone,  and  the  backing  is  of  different  construction.    The  most 


^fc9o  —  c<^< 


5      88  M  A  S  0  N  RY . 

important  point  in  this  work  is  to  use  quick  setting  mortar,  else  the  greater  number  of  joints  within  may 
cause  the  wall  to  lean  or  crack  in  setting.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add,  that  in  every  species  of  masonry  much 
attention  must  be  given  to  the  bonding.  To  enter  upon  this  part  of  the  subject  would  lead  us  beyond  our 
limits,  hence  we  can  merely  press  its  importance.  The  succeeding  article  will  furnish  some  suggestions  on 
the  matter.    The  higher  branches  of  the  mason's  art  will  be  treated  of  hereafter. 

The  greatest  objection  to  stone  walls  for  country  houses  is  the  dampness  to  which  they  are  liable.  There 
are  several  methods  which  have  been  adopted  to  obviate  this,  the  chief  of  which  is  to  fasten  strips  to  the 
wall  within,  to  which  laths  are  nailed  for  plastering.  Thus  the  dampness  cannot  reach  the  interior,  and 
the  stratum  of  air  between  the  plaster  and  the  wall  renders  the  apartments  more  easily  warmed.  The 
dampness  which  arises  from  the  capillarity  of  the  stone  or  mortar  may  be  prevented  by  building  in  the  wall 
near  the  ground,  a  course  of  clay  slate,  which  is  nearly  impervious ;  this  should  be  done  in  all  cases.  We 
cannot  see  why  a  first  coat  of  asphalted  plaster  throughout  the  interior  would  not  completely  prevent  damp- 
ness.   Something  of  the  kind  must  always  be  adopted,  both  for  the  walls  and  floor  of  a  basement  story. 

There  are  many  ways  of  giving  variety  to  the  appearance  of  stone  walls  which  have  not  been  mentioned. 
For  instance,  we  have  seen  stone  chips  laid  in  all  the  surface  joints  and  giving  a  very  pretty  effect  to  the 
exterior.  We  will  not,  however,  delay  longer  on  the  subject,  but  close  with  the  remark  that,  to  our  taste, 
stone  walls  are  preferable  to  all  others,  because  of  their  strength  and  durability,  their  naturalness,  and  their 
handsome,  bold  and  truthful  expression. 


A    SUBURBAN  RESIDENCE. 
DESIGN    TWENTY- FIRST. 

Plates  LXXYI.  and  LXXXVII.  present  the  front  elevation  and  a  perspective  view  of  a  three-storied  country  mansion. 
Its  style  is  such  as  to  give  it  the  suburban  character  already  referred  to,  and  is  equally  adapted  to  an  open  country,  or  a 
park.    The  building  is  roofed  with  tin,  and  the  walls  are  of  brick,  stuccoed  or  rough  cast,  without  pointing. 

Plate  LXXXVIIL  presents  the  floor  plans  of  this  design.  There  is  a  cellar  under  the  back-building,  having  stairs  under 
the  private  stairway,  and  also  a  furnace  cellar  beneath  the  hall  communicating  with  the  former,  and  having  stairs  under 
the  main  stairway.  The  principal  division  walls  are  of  brick,  as  high  as  the  floor  of  the  third  story.  The  plan  of  this 
story  corresponds  to  that  of  the  second  story,  main  building  ;  the  whole  thus  affording  ample  accommodation  for  a  family 
of  eight  or  ten,  including  the  servants. 

Plate  LXXXIX.  is  of  Details.    Fig.  1.  Details  of  the  front  door  and  balcony  above.    Fig.  2.  Section  of  the  balcony. 
Fig.  3.  Chimney  top  and  section.    Fig.  4.  Sill  of  the  second  story  front  window.    Fig.  5.  Cornice  of  the  back  building. 
>         Plate  XC.  is  also  of  Details.    Fig.  1.  Cornice  and  third  story  front  window.    Fig.  2.  Profile  of  the  bracket.    Fig.  3.  ^ 
Ornament  on  the  pediment.    Fig.  4.  Details  of  the  verandahs.   Fig.  5.  First  story  front  window.  Fig.  6.  Section  of  the  same, 


30*3^  —  


A.  g  w  m  tw  b&ibass   M     'iTiiDiiy,  jhi  « '  jmS 


J  I 

1 

BRICK  WORK. 


,  ^/5Vl]^^  UR  every  day  acquaintance  with  the  art  of  brick-making  makes  us  familiar  to  a  great  extent, 
^jJJSBt  ^JH  with  its  details.    There  id  scarcely  a  member  of  the  public,  who  has  not  at  some  time,  if  not 
often,  seen  the  whole  process,  which,  from  its  simplicity,  is  intelligible  to  any  mind.    It  is 
almost  always  conducted  in  the  open  air,  where  every  casual  passer-by  may  inspect  each  operation, 
and  the  interest  which  all,  at  some  period  of  life,  have  in  building,  also  tends  to  excite  curiosity. 
Nevertheless,  however  simple  the  grosser  points  may  seem,  the  art  is  still  capable  of  much  im- 
provement, and  to  produce  our  best  bricks,  a  considerable  degree  of  skill  is  requisite,  resulting  from  care 
and  long  experience. 

Good  bricks  must  be  sound  and  hard ;  they  must  be  uniform  in  size,  shape  and  color ;  and  the  manufac- 
ture must  be  so  managed,  that  they  may  not  warp  or  be  otherwise  injured.  Their  hardness,  soundness,  and 
uniformity  of  color  depends  mostly  on  the  quality  of  the  clay  used.  Alumina  is  the  principal  ingredient  in 
all  brick  earth,  but  the  purest  clay,  the  great  mass  of  which  consists  of  this  substance,  will  shrink  and 
crack  in  drying,  and  warp  in  firing.  To  obviate  this  result,  sand  is  mixed  with  the  clay  when  it  does  not 
already  exist  in  sufficient  quantity.  When  these  two  substances  alone,  exist  together,  we  have  a  fire  clay 
suitable  for  making  crucibles,  glass-house  pots,  furnace-bricks,  and  like  articles.  From  the  expensiveness  of 
these  we  may  justly  infer  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  the  compound;  and  it  is  the  truth,  that  there  is  nearly 
always  a  greater  or  less  amount  of  foreign  matter  intermingled.  The  presence  of  lime  which  acts  as  a  flux 
often  renders  the  clay  useless,  because  of  its  liability  to  fusion.  If  oxide  of  iron  be  present,  it  also  renders 
the  clay  fusible  at  a  furnace  heat,  if  the  silica  and  alumina  arc  in  nearly  equal  proportion  ;  hence,  as  oxide 
of  iron  almost  always  exists,  care  must  be  taken  to  have  a  considerably  less  quantity  of  sand  than  clay.  It 
is  this  oxide  of  iron  which  gives  the  red  color  to  nearly  all  our  building  bricks,  and  the  white  ones,  which 
are  sometimes  used  for  filling  in,  are  comparatively  free  from  it  and  are  generally  much  harder,  though 
sometimes  this  absence  of  color  results  from  over-burning. 

Brick  clay  must  be  thoroughly  worked  in  a  pug  mill  before  moulding,  to  increase  its  tenacity  and  secure 
a  uniform  mixture  of  its  ingredients.  AYhen  moulded,  the  bricks  must  be  dried  gradually,  and  uniformly, 
and  the  heat  of  the  kiln  must  be  well  regulated  into  a  slow  and  steady  increase  and  decrease  of  intensity, 
or  the  bricks  will  crack  and  warp.  "  Sound  and  well  burnt  bricks  are  of  a  clear  and  steady  color,  and 
when  struck  together,  will  ring  with  a  clear  metallic  sound.  Deficiency  in  either  of  these  points  indicates 
inferiority." 

23  89 

<> 

®  j^io3  


90  BRICK  WORK. 

The  pressed  bricks  which  give  the  smooth  and  finished  appearance  to  our  city  fronts,  are  made  by 
machinery  and  burnt  in  kilns  built  for  the  purpose,  and  not  in  the  ordinary  open  stack.  There  has  been 
no  machine  as  yet  invented  that  will  make  bricks  so  cheap  as  the  old  manual  plan,  which  has  been 
practised  from  time  immemorial.  It  is  one  of  those  arts  which  has  been  nearly  stationary  ever  since 
the  time  of  the  flood,  and  is  the  first  of  the  series  that  ends  in  the  manufacture  of  fine  porcelain. 

The  shape  of  bricks  is  of  considerable  importance.  That  in  present  universal  use,  the  Flemish  brick,  is 
perhaps,  the  best.  There  have  been  many  attempts  to  improve  it  by  giving  such  a  shape  as  will  facilitate 
the  bonding,  and  thereby  add  security  to  the  wall,  but  as  yet  none  other  has  been  generally  adopted.  In 
England  hollow  bricks  are  used  to  some  extent,  and  their  advantages  are  such  as  would  warrant  intro- 
duction into  this  country.  They  are  at  least  one-third  lighter  than  the  ordinary  bricks,  and  the  differ- 
ence of  strength  is  small.  Their  size  and  shape  is  the  same  as  the  ordinary  Flemish  brick,  but  they  differ 
in  having  a  hole  from  end  to  end,  which  gives  the  qualities  of  a  tube.  As  the  size  of  bricks  is  unimportant 
so  that  they  be  thoroughly  burnt,  and  easily  handled,  this  latter  kind  might  be  made  much  larger,  and 
would  then  present  a  better  appearance  in  the  wall.  We  are  not  satisfied,  however,  that  their  resistance 
to  a  crushing  force  is  sufficient ;  it  certainly  cannot  equal  that  of  the  ordinary  bricks ;  still  they  might  be 
used  with  advantage  over  lintels. 

Walls  are  built  with  much  less  thickness  now  than  formerly,  and  in  fact  a  false  economy  so  influences 
our  builders,  that  as  a  general  thing,  they  are  made  much  too  thin.  They  are  named  according  to  the 
number  of  bricks  used  in  the  breadth  of  each  course  ;  thus  we  have  a  wall  one  brick  thick,  a  brick  and  a 
half,  two  bricks,  and  so  on ;  corresponding  respectively  to  an  eight  inch,  a  twelve  inch,  and  a  sixteen 
inch  wall.  They  are  best  made  heavy  at  the  base,  and  carried  up  lighter  and  lighter,  the  diminution 
occurring  at  each  tier  of  joists.  Partition  walls  seldom  need  be  made  more  than  one  brick  thick,  unless  they 
have  to  support  heavy  weights,  such  as  girders.  Hollow  walls  are  coming  into  very  general  use,  especially 
for  country  mansions,  and  are  certainly  a  great  improvement.  They  are  much  lighter  than  ordinary  walls, 
requiring  only  about  one-third  the  number  of  bricks,  and  are  sufficiently  strong.  They  prevent  dampness, 
completely,  and  render  the  building  more  easily  warmed.  To  describe  the  various  methods  of  constructing 
them,  would  require  considerable  space  and  are  generally  understood  by  bricklayers ;  we  therefore  merely 
recommend  them  in  all  cases  where  they  are  practicable. 

In  speaking  of  bonding  we  may  premise  that  those  bricks  laid  lengthwise  in  the  wall  are  called 
stretchers,  and  those  laid  across  are  called  headers.  For  solid  walls  there  are  two  principal  kinds  of  bond- 
ing, the  Flemish  and  the  English.  In  the  Flemish  bond  the  stretchers  and  headers  alternate  in  each  course, 
and  the  headers  in  the  succeeding  course  are  laid  on  the  middle  of  the  stretchers  in  the  course  below.  In 
the  English  bond  the  courses  are  alternately  of  headers  and  stretchers,  and  so  arranged  as  to  break  joints 
throughout.  It  is  generally  conceded  that  the  Flemish  bond  is  the  most  agreeable  to  the  eye,  and  nearly 
all  of  our  old  brick  buildings  are  thus  built,  but  there  is  no  doubt  at  the  same  time,  that  the  English  bond 


BRICKWORK.  91 

makes  much  the  strongest  wall,  and  hence,  wherever  a  wall  is  to  be  rough-cast,  this  bond  should  always 
be  adopted.  It  is  more  necessary  to  urge  this  because  of  late  years,  much  of  the  strength  of  walls  has  been 
sacrificed  to  appearance.    Brick  facings  are  now  made  almost  entirely  of  stretchers,  every  seventh  or  tenth 

* 

course  being  of  headers,  and  sometimes  there  are  no  headers  in  the  face  of  the  wall  whatever.  This  is  a 
bad  practice,  but  is  somewhat  compensated  by  the  use  of  iron  strap  bonding,  which  consists  in  laj  ing  pieces 
of  hoop  iron  in  the  mortar  joints  and  gives  effectual  security.  "We  must,  however,  reprobate  the  entire 
use  of  stretchers  on  the  face  of  the  wall,  and  cannot  admit  the  plea  of  appearance,  for  to  one  acquainted 
with  the  subject,  and  he  only  can  properly  judge,  it  carries  with  it  a  sense  of  insecurity  utterly  incon- 
sistent with  agreeable  appearance. 

Another  point  must  be  attended  to  in  laying  bricks,  which  is  not  to  carry  up  one  portion  of  a  wall  more 
rapidly  than  another,  otherwise,  owing  to  an  inequality  of  settlement,  it  will  inevitably  sustain  fractures. 
Again,  if  the  building  be  conducted  in  very  dry  weather,  the  bricks  should  be  wetted,  as  they  are  laid,  or 
the  moisture  of  the  mortar  will  be  rapidly  absorbed  by  them  before  it  can  properly  adhere. 

The  practice  of  introducing  concealed  arches  for  the  purpose  of  distributing  the  weight  more  equally,  is  a 
good  one,  when  exercised  with  judgment.  Inverted  arches  may  be  turned  from  pier  to  pier  beneath  open- 
ings, but  care  must  be  taken  that  the  corner  be  a  sufficient  abutment,  or  in  settling  it  may  be  pushed 
outwards  below.  Over  long  lintels,  arches  are  often  turned  to  advantage,  and  the  only  difficulty  in  their 
free  use,  is  owing  to  their  unyielding  nature,  which  may  create  an  inequality  of  settlement,  and  thus  most 
certainly  cause  fractures. 

Bricks  are  frequently  and  advantageously  used  for  backing  in  ashlar  work,  but  it  requires  a  skillful 
workman  to  build  a  secure  wall  of  this  character.  We  consider  too,  this  mode  of  building  at  variance 
with  good  taste,  for  it  is  a  deception,  and  the  attempt  to  deceive  is  altogether  repugnant  to  feelings  of 
pleasure  which  might  otherwise  arise.  Sun-dried  bricks  are  used  occasionally  for  filling  in  a  brick  Avail,  and 
sometimes  the  entire  wall  is  built  of  them,  but  only  when  economy  is  of  primary  importance. 

Modern  architects  have  for  a  long  time  shown  a  great  disrespect  for  brick  walls  ;  why,  it  is  difficult  to 
determine.  The  public  have  acted  very  differently,  and  urged  by  motives  of  econom}-,  have  built  the  prin- 
cipal part  of  our  cities  and  towns  of  this  cheap  and  durable  material.  Architects  have  been  compelled  to 
acquiesce,  but  always  exhibit  a  great  desire  to  hide  the  bricks  with  plaster,  and  have  not,  till  very  lately, 
made  any  attempts  to  give  architectural  effect  to  this  legitimate  and  excellent  material.  Chiefly  on  account 
of  its  prevailing  color,  we  do  not  think  brick  work  well  adapted  to  country  houses,  but  for  city  architecture 
it  is  entirely  proper,  and  recent  attempts  show  conclusively,  that  it  is  susceptible  of  a  high  degree  of  em- 
bellishment peculiar  to  itself.    There  is  no  doubt  but  the  prejudice  must  give  way. 

No  art  is  more  ancient  than  brick-making,  if  we  except  the  art  of  Tubal  Cain.    The  tower  of  Babel,  so 
A     much  of  it  as  Avas  built,  was  of  bricks,  and  there  are  some  very  curious  records  of  the  art  as  practiced  by 
^    Egypt.    Beside  the  scripture  account,  Ave  have  some  of  their  characteristic  pictures,  which  exhibit  the 


i 


92  BRICK  WORK. 

whole  process,  both  for  burnt  and  unburnt  bricks,  and  evidently  tend  to  confirm  that  account.  From  them, 
the  art  spread  throughout  the  East,  and  was  practised  to  some  extent  by  the  Grecians.  From  these  the 
Romans  received  it  and  carried  it  to  a  perfection  never  since  attained.  The  shape  of  their  bricks  generally 
differs  from  ours.  They  were  seldom  more  than  an  inch  and  a  half  thick,  and  varied  in  size,  the  smallest 
being  about  seven  inches  square.  Many  specimens  of  Roman  brick  work  are  yet  extant,  showing  at  once 
the  excellence  of  the  work  and  the  durability  of  the  material,  though  they  chiefly  owe  their  continued 
existence  to  the  quality  of  the  mortar.  Generally  the  wall  was  stuccoed,  but  there  are  some  ornamental 
walls  of  bricks  beautifully  designed  and  finished.  From  Italy  the  art  spread  northward,  and  was  earned 
by  the  Romans  themselves  into  Britain.  In  some  Gothic  structures  bricks  were  used,  and  they  are  found 
in  old  Saxon  buildings  which  are  believed  to  have  been  erected  either  during  or  immediately  succeeding 
the  presence  of  Roman  power.  There  is  no  doubt  but  that  the  peculiarities  of  the  Norman  style  originated 
in  the  use  of  bricks.  Their  characteristic  mouldings,  the  zig-zag,  the  alternate  billet,  the  lozenge  and  others, 
have  all  been  found  constructed  of  bricks.  Since  then  bricks  have  been  adopted  only  for  plain  walls, 
except  in  some  cases  where  they  were  rudely  sculptured  after  being  laid,  but  we  have,  as  before  intimated, 
reason  to  hope  that  this  branch  of  practical  architecture  will  soon  be  greatly  improved. 


A  COTTAGE. 
DESIGN    TWENTY- SECOND. 

Plates  XCI.  and  XCII.  exhibit  the  front  and  side  elevations  of  a  comparatively  plain  country  dwelling  whose  unosten- 
tatious simple  appearance  as  well  as  internal  arrangements,  give  it  every  requisite  for  a  gentleman's  farm  house.  The 
roof  is  designed  to  be  slate  and  the  walls  brick  or  stone,  rough  cast  without  pointing. 

Plate  XCIII.  comprises  the  ground  plans.  There  should  be  a  cellar  beneath  the  whole  building,  having  stairs  under  the 
private  stairway,  and  also  an  outside  cellar  door  and  stairs  in  the  rear.  The  accommodations  are  sufficient  for  a  family  of 
six  or  eight  persons,  and  the  cost  of  the  building  would  be  about  $3800.00. 

Plate  XCTV.  is  of  Details.  Fig.  1.  Drip  ornament  of  the  gable  eaves.  Fig.  2.  Oriel  window.  Fig.  3.  Section  of  the  same. 
Fig.  4.  Hood  mould  of  the  front  arable  first-story  window.   Fig.  5.  Details  of  the  verandah.  Fig.  6.  Section  of  the  verandah. 


SUMMER  HOUSES. 
DESIGN    TWENTY- THIRD. 

On  plate  XCV.  will  be  found  a  design  for  four  summer  houses,  two  in  the  Oriental  style,  and  well  adapted  to  the  Villa, 
design  XVIII.    It  is  needless  to  remark  upon  them  further  as  they  speak  for  themselves. 


Design  JCXIJ 


/'/.  XCI. 


Design  XXJJ. 


Pl.XCM. 


PRINCIPAL  KliOOU 


t  


Scale  10  Feet  to  the  inch 


30 


Sam'   Slum.  Arck1 


P  S  Duval  frCo'l  Steam  hth  Ti  rss.  ThiUil* 


4 


TIMBER. 


HO  has  not  looked  upon  the  mighty  forests  of  America  with  admiration  ?  Mighty  not  only 
in  their  extent  and  density,  but  in  the  greatness  of  each  member.  Admirable  too  in 
•their  almost  infinite  variety  of  flowering  and  fruit  bearing  exogens  bounded  by  the  pines 
of  the  North  and  the  palms  of  the  South.  In  Europe,  the  teeming  population  have  long  been 
thinning  the  noble  ranks  of  trees,  but  here,  though  they  have  shrunk  from  the  approach  of  civilization 
like  frost-work  from  the  breath,  yet  their  vast  extent  is  undiminished,  and  they  still  retain  their 
primitive  luxuriance  and  grandeur.  The  rapid  and  monstrous  growth  of  our  necessities  has  produced  a 
proportionate  increase  in  the  demand  on  these  sons  of  the  soil.  We  lose  in  every  forest  felled,  a  volume 
of  eloquence  and  beauty.  What  landscape  is  complete  without  majestic  woods,  and  what  more  elevates 
the  thought  than  to  contemplate  such  handiwork  of  Nature?  Touched  with  their  superior  power  to  humble 
yet  expand  the  soul,  our  lyric  poet  says  : — 

"  The  groves  were  God's  first  temples.    Ere  man  learned 
To  hew  the  shaft,  and  lay  the  architrave, 
And  spread  the  roof  ahove  them, — ere  he  framed 
The  lofty  vault  to  gather  and  roll  back 
The  sound  of  anthems, — in  the  darkling  wood, 
Amidst  the  cool  and  silence,  ho  knelt  down 
And  offered  to  the  Mightiest  solemn  thanks 
And  supplication." 

We  can  never  see  Nature's  architecture  destroyed  without  feeling  a  regret.  When  the  axe  with 
resounding  stroke  descends  again  and  again  on  the  sturdy  trunk,  and  the  noble  tree  with  its  wide 
spreading  top  of  branches  and  leaves,  with  all  its  vivified  machinery  for  growth  And  reproduction, 
sways,  reels,  and  falls  in  crashing  thunder  down,  we  are  forced  to  relieve  our  painful  impression  by  con- 
sidering the  necessity  of  the  act,  but  still  feel  as  if  evil  has  been  done  that  good  may  come.  A  healthy 
mind  abhors  needless  destruction  of  life,  of  beauty,  of  utility,  or  the  undoing  ol*  whatever  cannot  be  at 
once  identically  restored.  These  thoughts  may  seem  somewhat  irrelevant  to  the  practical  subject  in 
hand,  but  there  have  been  few  protesting  voices  raised  against  the  wanton  waste  of  our  trees.  Viewing 
these  immense  forests  at  a  glance,  one  would  be  inclined  to  laugh  at  the  idea  of  their  exhaustion,  but 
it  must  be  remembered,  that  the  greater  portion  of  them  is  useless  for  timber,  and  that  only  a  small 

24  (93) 


94  TIMBER. 

portion  of  the  valuable  part  is  accessible.  Still  we  do  not  contemplate  exhaustion,  but  an  advanced  cost 
may  readily  be  conceived  that  will  render  it  impossible  for  every  poor  man  to  have  a  home.  The  inroads 
upon  our  invaluable  live  oak  have  already  so  far  diminished  its  quantity  that  the  Government  has  found  it 
necessary  to  interfere  and  encourage  the  planting  of  acorns,  in  order  to  prevent  its  entire  extinction.  The 
Cinchona  nitida  of  South  America,  which  species  furnished  much  the  best  bark  of  commerce  described 
in  the  Materia  Medica,  has  become  totally  extinct,  because  of  this  reckless  treatment.  No  power, 
however,  can  induce  a  careful  and  judicious  management  of  our  forests,  for  our  countrymen  in  their  indivi- 
dual action,  always  will  show  a  total  disregard  for  posterity  so  long  as  families  are  unsettled,  and  estates 
so  liable  to  disruption.  In  Europe,  the  laws  of  primogeniture  have  done  much  to  preserve  the  forests  and 
encourage  the  cultivation  of  timber,  but  we  are  happy,  nevertheless,  in  the  entire  absence  of  this  system. 

It  has  already  been  remarked  that  only  a  small  part  of  our  great  forests  can  be  used  for  timber.  An 
insufficiency  of  size  or  an  inferior  quality  of  wood,  will  render  any  species  useless.  The  most  important  of 
those  not  thus  disqualified,  are  here  briefly  described. 

Forests  of  Pine,  Spruce  and  the  other  species  belonging  to  the  same  family  (Conifcrcc)  abound  in  every 
section  of  the  United  States,  and  furnish  by  far  the  greatest  amount  of  timber.  Of  these,  the  pine  exists 
in  much  the  largest  quantity,  and  together  they  more  than  double  in  extent  all  other  useful  trees.  The 
general  qualities  of  the  wood  which  they  furnish  are  very  similar,  and  owing  to  its  abundance,  the  timber 
can  generally  be  obtained  at  a  much  less  rate  than  any  other  material.  The  ease  with  which  it  is  worked,  and 
its  lightness,  tend  much  to  lessen  this  cost  and  enhance  its  value.  The  grain  is  smooth  and  firm,  and  the  body 
of  the  tree  is  quite  free  from  knots,  the  branches  putting  forth  only  near  the  extreme  top.  The  great  length 
of  the  trunk  from  this  point  to  the  ground,  its  strength,  lightness  and  durability,  in  which  last  it  at  least 
equals  many  of  the  oaks,  form  a  combination  of  good  qualities  possessed  by  none  other.  They  fit  it  admi- 
rably for  building,  and  therefore  it  is  used  in  vast  quantity.  Indeed,  except  in  cities  where  brick  and  stone 
are  required,  about  nine-tenths  of  our  buildings  are  constructed  entirely  of  it,  and  even  where  other  material 
is  used  for  the  wall,  the  rafters,  girders,  joists,  floors  and  dressings  of  every  description,  are  almost  always 
of  these  woods.  We  may  mention  that  the  value  of  the  trees,  especially  the  pine  extends  much  further. 
Immense  quantities  are  used  in  this  country  for  ship-building,  and  the  exportation  of  the  timber  for  this 
and  other  purposes  forms  a  most  important  branch  of  our  commerce.  There  are  many  other  uses  which 
render  these  trees  invaluable.  From  a  species  of  pine  all  the  resin  is  obtained  which  furnishes  the 
important  products,  spirits  of  turpentine,  rosin,  tar,  and  pitch;  and  besides,  the  wood  is  much  prized  as  fuel 
either  when  reduced  to  charcoal,  or  by  using  the  knots  and  other  highly  resinous  parts  wherever  much  flame 
is  required,  as  in  brickmaking,  or  on  steamboats. 

There  are  many  species  of  pine,  but  only  a  few  serve  the  purpose  of  the  carpenter  and  joiner;  the 
Southern  Yellow  or  Pitch  pine  {Pinus  palustris)  being  in  this  respect,  perhaps,  as  well  as  in  others,  the  most 
important.    It  first  occurs  in  the  southern  part  of  Virginia,  and  from  thence  extends  along  the  entire  coast 


TIMBER.  95 

of  the  ocean  and  gulf,  not  reaching  inland  more  than  a  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  It  is  termed  at  the  North 
the  Southern  Carolina,  or  red  pine,  and  at  the  South,  the  yellow  or  pitch  pine,  but  the  proper  name,  accord- 
ing to  Michaux,  probably  our  best  authority,  is  the  long  leaved  pine,  the  length  of  the  leaves  being  about  a 
foot,  which  characterizes  the  species ;  we  have  adopted  the  other  name,  however,  because  it  makes  more 
special  reference  to  the  qualities  of  the  timber.  This  tree  attains  the  height  of  eighty  feet,  and  often  is 
from  sixteen  to  eighteen  inches  in  diameter,  for  two-thirds  of  that  distance,  the  foliage  in  the  larger 
trees  not  occurring  within  sixty  feet  of  the  base.  It  has,  however,  from  an  inch  and  a  half  to  two  inches 
of  useless  sap-wood,  which  is  the  newly  formed  wood  next  the  bark.  In  deep  and  dry,  though  not  rich 
mould,  this  tree  attains  its  greatest  size,  but  on  the  sea  coast,  where  a  shallow  soil  overlays  sand,  it  is 
smaller,  more  branching,  and  contains  a  greater  amount  of  resin.  In  the  first  case  it  is  called  the  yellow 
pine,  and  in  the  latter,  the  pitch  pine.  Regarding  its  resin  alone,  for  this  tree  yields  very  nearly  the  whole 
of  that  article  in  trade,  it  is  the  most  important  of  the  species,  but  at  the  same  time  its  wood  is  the  firmest 
and  most  durable  of  all  the  pines.  On  this  account  preference  is  given  to  it  before  any  other  in  naval 
architecture,  especially  the  variety  called  red  pine,  the  wood  of  which  acquires  that  hue  from  the  nature 
of  the  soil.  The  carpenters  of  the  North  have  it  in  great  demand  for  all  parts  of  the  building,  especially 
for  floors  and  step-boards,  since  it .  suffers  comparatively  little  in  wear,  and  but  for  its  higher  price  they 
would  use  it  exclusively.  At  the  South,  within  its  localities,  the  wood  work  of  all  buildings  is  constructed 
entirely  of  this  material.  The  remarkable  durability  of  the  wood  results  chiefly  from  its  pores  being  filled 
with  resin,  and  it  is  besides  strong,  firm,  smooth,  even  grained,  and  under  varnish,  has  a  rich  yellow 
appearance.  These  qualities  would  seem  to  fit  it  admirably  for  the  joiner,  and  the  only  objections  are,  its 
liability  to  shrink  both  longitudinally  and  laterally,  especially  in  the  soft  grain  ;  and  the  effect  of  the 
summer  heat  in  causing  the  resin  to  exude  and  discolor  the  paint.  The  white  pine  (P.  strdbm)  is  next  in 
importance,and  is  more  extensively  used  in  this  region  than  any  other.  The  tree  is  the  largest  of  the  species, 
excepting  the  Rocky  Mountain  pine,  for  it  sometimes  reaches  the  height  of  a  hundred  and  eighty  feet  by 
six  in  diameter,  and  contains  only  about  a  half  inch  of  sap-wood.  Hence  boards  can  be  obtained  from  it  of 
great  length  and  width,  but  owing  to  the  rapid  diminution  of  the  trunk  towards  the  top,  it  docs  not  furnish 
timber  as  large  in  proportion  to  its  size  as  other  species.  It  is  found  in  immense  quantities  from  New  York 
northward  throughout  the  Canadas,  and  also  along  the  Allegheny  mountains.  It  is  still  quite  abundant, 
though  disappearing  fast,  on  the  head  waters  of  the  Delaware,  whence  it  is  floated  to  supply  the  towns  on  the 
shore.  Much  is  brought  down  the  Susquchannah,  and  it  is  also  floated  down  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi,  even 
as  far  as  New  Orleans.  Large  quantities  are  exported  from  Maine  and  the  shores  of  Lake  Champlain. 
The  qualities  and  uses  of  the  wood  are  too  familiar  to  require  much  detail.  It  is  very  durable  when  well 
protected  from  the  weather,  light,  free  from  knots,  smooth,  and  more  easily  worked  than  any  other  wood, 
and  hence,  although  liable  to  swell  with  moisture,  is  a  favorite  with  the  carver  and  joiner.  In  carpentry 
it  should  not  be  used  extensively,  not  being  very  strong,  but  for  joinery  it  is  excellent,  when  not  exposed  to 


DO^^  -^^Cp 

9G  TIMBER.  if) 

V 

humidity,  though  owing  to  its  softness  and  weakness,  a  slight  blow  is  often  sufficient  to  destroy  or  deface  ^ 
the  best  work.    This  tree  is  very  valuable  in  furnishing  masts,  yards  and  other  parts  of  vessels.  Large 
quantities  are  used  for  packing  boxes  and  a  thousand  other  things,  in  which  a  light  and  easily  worked 
material  is  required.    The  true  Yellow  pine  (P.  mite)  is  more  valuable  than  any  other  in  the  Middle 
States,  where  it  chiefly  abounds.    It  is  also  called  the  yellow  spruce,  and  in  Georgia,  the  short  leaved  pine. 
It  has  a  diminishing  trunk  fifty  or  sixty  feet  in  height,  with  a  diameter  of  fifteen  or  eighteen  inches,  but 
at  the  South  it  grows  much  larger  though  more  sparingly.    The  sap  wood,  which  speedily  decays,  is  about 
two  or  two  and  a  half  inches  in  depth.    A  vast  quantity  of  the  timber  is  used  in  the  dock-yards  of  the 
Middle  States  for  all  parts  of  the  ship,  and  it  is  exported  to  some  extent.    We  quote  Michaux  : — "  The 
heart  is  fine  grained  and  moderately  resinous  being  compact  without  great  weight.    Long  experience  has 
proved  its  excellence  and  durability.    In  the  northern  Middle  States  and  Virginia,  nine-tenths  of  the 
houses  are  built  entirely  of  wood,  and  the  floors,  the  casings  of  the  doors  and  wainscots,  the  sashes  of  the 
windows,  etc.,  are  made  of  this  species  as  more  solid  and  durable  than  any  other  indigenous  wood."  This 
last  was  true  when  written,  but  we  may  regret  that  its  place  with  the  joiner  is  now  so  much  occupied  by 
the  cheaper  and  softer,  although  in  itself  excellent  white  pine.    Poor  soils  furnish  a  fine,  smooth,  and  com- 
pact wood  that  cannot  be  surpassed.    For  joists,  girders,  and  all  heavy  framing,  it  is  next  in  value  to  the 
long  leaved  or  southern  yellow  pine,  and  in  this  region  is  used  very  extensively  for  these  parts  of  the  building. 
There  is  another  species  occurring  principally  in  the  Atlantic  States,  which  deserves  mention,  this  is  the 
Pitch  pine  (P.  rigida.)    It  grows  to  some  extent  throughout  the  United  States  in  meagre  soil,  and  abounds 
on  the  Allegheny  mountains  in  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia.    The  height  of  the  tree  is  about  thirty-five  or 
forty  feet  by  twelve  or  fifteen  inches  in  diameter,  but  in  swamps  it  grows  much  larger ;  the  wood  in  the 
latter  case,  however,  being  nearly  all  sap,  is  therefore  useless.    The  better  sort  have  numerous  branches, 
the  timber  is  knotty  but  compact,  heavy,  full  of  resin,  and  resists  rot  better  than  any  other,  excepting  the 
southern  pitch  pine.    The  Red  Canadian  pine  (P.  rubra)  receives  its  name  from  the  clear  red  color  of  the 
bark,  and  is  widely  distributed  throughout  the  Canadas  and  Maine.    The  tree  is  quite  large,  and  yields 
broad,  heavy,  resinous,  compact,  and  durable  planks,  fifty  feet  long,  which  are  chiefly  used  in  ship-building, 
and  large  quantities  are  exported  for  this  purpose. 

There  are  several  other  genera  of  this  family  which  may  be  mentioned  collectively ;  the  first  of  these,  is 
the  Spruce,  (Abies,)  the  same  as  the  fir  in  Europe,  which  is  distinguished  from  the  pine  in  classification,  by 
having  no  sheath  around  the  base  of  the  leaves.  The  Black  or  Double  spruce,  (A.  nigra)  naturally  belongs 
to  cold  regions,  having  in  this  latitude  only  a  stunted  growth.  The  Black  Mountain  in  South  Carolina,  is 
covered  with  it,  the  dark  hue  of  the  leaves  having  a  gloomy  appearance.  Sometimes  it  is  called  red  spruce, 
from  the  color  of  the  wood.  The  tree  is  seventy  or  eighty  feet  high  by  fifteen  or  twenty  inches  in  diameter, 
and  suffers  a  regular  diminution  from  the  base  to  the  top.  The  wood  is  strong,  light,  and  elastic,  being 
tougher  than  white  pine  but  more  liable  to  crack.    It  is  exported  from  Maine  to  most  of  the  northern  g\ 

i 

■0?3cy>  ugaQ* 


00-"~  '•>  '  '-OC5 
I 


TIMBER.  97 

ports,  where  it  is  used  for  all  parts  of  the  frame,  and  is  generally  considered  much  better  than  hemlock 
spruce.  The  Hemlock  spruce  (A.  Canadensis)  is  common  from  Hudson's  bay,  southward  throughout 
Vermont,  and  on  the  Alleghanies.  The  tree  is  seventy  or  eighty  feet  high,  and  has  a  uniform  diameter 
of  six  or  nine  feet  for  two-thirds  of  its  height.  The  wood  is  as  durable  as  any  other  when  guarded,  but 
decays  rapidly  when  exposed.  The  fibre  makes  frequent  circuits  of  the  stock,  the  grain  is  therefore 
irregular  and  coarse;  the  wood  is  firmer  than  white  pine,  gives  a  better  hold  to  nails,  and  is  esteemed  for  its 
rigidity.  There  is  another  member  of  this  series,  very  valuable  in  the  South  and  South-west,  where  it 
abounds,  the  Cypress  (Taxodium  distichum.)  It  grows  mostly  in  swamps  and  marshy  ground,  and  hence  is 
generally  difficult  of  access ;  nevertheless,  all  the  wooden  houses  in  New  Orleans  and  around,  are  built  of 
it  almost  entirely.  The  wood  is  lighter,  and  much  more  durable  than  pine ;  strong,  elastic,  fine-grained, 
and  possesses  the  property  of  long  resisting  the  heat  and  moisture  of  that  climate.  On  account  of  these 
qualities  it  is  especially  esteemed  for  shingles,  and  large  quantities  are  exported  to  the  North.  They  will 
last,  if  cut  in  the  winter,  forty  years.  The  White  Cedar,  ( Cupressus  thyoides,)  which  makes  excellent 
joiner's  work,  is  also  highly  valued  for  shingles,  being  considered  in  many  points  much  better  than  the 
cypress,  and  therefore  commanding  a  higher  price.  It  is  much  more  durable  and  secure  from  worms  than 
white  pine,  shingles  of  which  will  last  not  more  than  fifteen  or  twenty  years.  The  American  Larch  would 
be  our  most  valuable  tree  did  it  exist  in  sufficient  quantity,  inasmuch  as  it  is  better  in  every  respect 
than  any  pine. 

The  Oak  (Quercus)  is  the  only  other  genus  which  is  comparatively  of  great  importance  to  us  in  house- 
building. For  this  purpose,  it  is  in  some  respects  inferior  to  pine,  and  in  others  superior.  Being  less 
plentiful  and  less  easily  worked,  it  is  not  so  cheap ;  and  this,  together  with  the  weight  and  inferior  size  of 
the  timber,  prevent  its  exclusive  use.  There  is,  however,  no  other  wood  so  strong,  firm,  and  durable,  none 
which  in  all  respects,  repays  so  well  the  first  cost.  It  is  justly  esteemed  in  the  better  sort  of  joinery.  A 
material  which  may  be  exposed  in  fine  work,  always  makes  a  better  and  more  pleasant  impression  on  the 
spectator  than  any  paint  can  give ;  hence  our  furniture  is  so  seldom  painted,  and  indeed,  the  mere  fact 
that  the  material  has  cost  more,  and  the  work  has  required  more  labor  and  skill,  adds  to  this  impression. 
We  have  no  indigenous  wood,  unless  it  be  the  curled  maple,  superior  in  these  respects  to  oak.  In  all  orna- 
mental work  it  has  a  beautiful  rich  appearance,  which  increases  with  age.  This  tree  is  not  valuable  in 
building  houses  alone.  It  is  of  the  greatest  national  importance  for  ship-building,  and  thousands  are 
hewn  for  this  purpose  every  year.  But  it  would  be  impossible  within  these  limits  even  to  name  the  almost 
infinite  variety  of  uses  to  which  it  is  applied.  The  different  species  of  oak  are  widely  distributed  over  the 
northern  temperate  zone,  to  which  it  is  almost  exclusively  confined. 

The  European  Oak  (Q.  robor)  is  a  species  of  which  unfortunately,  we  are  not  possessed,  though  its  emi- 
nent qualities  render  its  introduction  very  desirable,  and  we  need  only  remark  that  it  surpasses  in  every 


fJOB^  ^£SOG 


K    respect,  all  other  oaks,  unless  it  be  our  live  oak,  which  in  a  few  points  excels.    This  species,  the  Live  Oak,  A 

25  dh 


98  .  TIMBER. 

(Q.  wrens,)  furnishes  the  finest  timber  in  the  world  for  strength  and  durability  when  not  exposed  to  changes 
of  wet  and  dry.  The  tree,  however,  is  not  very  large,  it  being  difficult  to  obtain  a  stick  of  timber  thirty 
feet  long  by  a  foot  square,  but  the  irregular  growth  of  its  wide  spreading  top,  furnishes  many  knees  for 
ships,  and  it  is  on  this  account  invaluable.  It  is  found  from  the  lower  part  of  Virginia  all  along  the 
southern  coasts  in  a  narrow  strip  only  twenty  or  twenty-five  miles  wide,  thus  seeming  to  require  the  sea 
air.  It  is  this  oak  that  our  Government  has  endeavored  to  protect  from  practical  annihilation  in  conse- 
quence of  large  exportation,  home  consumption,  and  clearance  of  lands  valuable  for  cotton ;  but  these 
and  its  slow  growth,  have  already  produced  a  great  advance  in  price.  Because  of  this,  it  is  little  used  in 
building,  although  strong,  firm,  compact,  fine-grained,  smooth,  durable  and  better  in  every  respect  than 
any  other  of  our  oaks.  The  White  Oak,  (Q.  alba,)  so  called  from  the  light  colored  bark  and  wood,  is 
generally  considered  a  variety  of  the  European  Oak.  This  species  is  at  present  the  most  important,  and 
because  of  its  great  size,  best  adapted  to  building  purposes.  It  is  the  largest  of  the  genus,  often  being  six 
feet  in  diameter,  by  seventy-five  or  eighty  feet  high.  It  is  found  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  but 
there  are  only  a  few  localities  where  it  sufficiently  abounds  to  render  it  of  great  service.  Throughout  the 
Middle  States  it  grows  in  large  quantities,  and  is  used  extensively.  In  ship  building  it  is  of  the  highest 
national  importance,  being  next  in  value  to  the  live  oak,  and  the  wood  is  applied  to  an  infinite  variety  of 
other  purposes.  Whenever  the  price  permits,  it  is  much  used  in  the  frame  work  of  houses,  and  is  invalua- 
ble in  such  parts  of  the  building  as  are  exposed  to  alternate  moisture  and  dryness,  since  it  supports  these 
admirably.  In  joinery  it  makes  excellent  work,  though  somewhat  liable  to  shrink,  warp,  and  crack,  and 
when  varnished  or  polished,  has  a  rich  elegant  appearance,  well  adapted  for  furniture.  The  wood  is 
strong,  neither  breaking  or  splitting  easily,  hard,  fine-grained,  and  smooth,  of  the  greatest  durability,  and 
not  very  difficult  to  work.  The  other  oaks  are  not  so  important,  and  may  be  briefly  noted.  The  Post  Oak 
is  abundant  south  of  latitude  40°  and  is  usually  considered  near  akin  to  the  white  oak,  though  its 
comparatively  small  size,  prevents  extensive  use.  The  wood  has  a  finer  texture,  more  strength  and  dura- 
bility, but  is  not  so  elastic.  The  Black  oak  is  abundant  in  the  Middle  States  and  southward.  The  tree  is 
ninety  feet  high  by  four  in  diameter.  Its  wood  is  reddish,  coarse,  and  has  large  empty  pores,  but  is  strong 
and  durable,  and  frequently  substituted  for  white  oak,  which,  in  some  places,  is  much  more  expensive. 
Immense  quantities  of  the  red  oak  barrel  staves  are  made  from  this  tree,  and  the  bark  is  valuable  in  both 
tanning  and  dyeing. 

There  are  many  other  valuable  indigenous  trees,  among  which  the  Black  Walnut  (Jaglans  nigra)  is  chief. 
It  is  found  throughout  the  United  States  in  considerable  quantity.  The  tree  attains  the  height  of  sixty  or 
seventy  feet  by  three  or  four  in  diameter,  and  furnishes  a  wood  the  sap  of  which  decays  quickly,  but  the 
heart  is  sound,  durable,  light  and  smooth,  though  splitting  easily.  It  has  a  rich,  dark  hue,  which  is  prized 
in  joinery  and  for  furniture,  but  the  wood  being  quite  soft  the  least  blow  cracks  the  varnish  and 
leaves  its  mark.    There  is  no  wood,  however,  more  beautiful  for  these  purposes  than  that  kind  of  the  Red 


Design  XXI F  Pl  /n  'l 




J  T  I  M  B  E  R .  ( 

Flowering  Maple  which  has  the  curled  grain ;  but  owing  to  the  difficulty  with  which  it  is  worked  the 
Joiner  uses  it  little.  The  Tulip  Poplar,  (Liriodendron  tidipifera,)  found  every  where,  is  a  large  tree  one 
hundred  feet  high  and  four  or  five  in  diameter.  The  difference  in  the  color  of  the  wood,  which  is  some- 
times yellow  and  sometimes  white,  results  from  the  soil ;  the  yellow  wood  is  best.  It  is  fine-grained, 
compact,  light,  strong,  stiff,  easily  wrought,  polishes  and  takes  paint  well,  but  is  very  liable  to  shrink  and 
warp.  In  the  West  the  timber  is  much  used  for  heavy  framing,  but  is  not  so  durable  as  other  woods 
mentioned.  The  Locust  is  an  excellent  wood  for  sleepers,  and  also  the  Chestnut,  either  of  which  will  out- 
last oak.  Mahogany  is  a  native  of  the  "West  India  Isles  and  the  Bay  of  Honduras.  The  West  India  or 
Spanish  Mahogany  is  most  esteemed,  and  is  excellent  in  joinery  of  every  kind. 

We  have  thus  touched  upon  the  most  important  timber  trees  of  the  United  States,  and  refer  for  further 
accounts  to  the  Silva  Americana,  by  Michaux,  to  which  we  are  indebted  for  many  facts  not  obtained  by 
personal  observation.    The  general  subject,  Timber,  Avill  be  continued  in  the  next  essay. 


AN    OLD    ENGLISH  COTTAGE. 
DESIGN  TWENTY-FOURTH. 

There  are  characteristics  about  the  Gothic  cottages  of  England  which  entitle  them  to  a  rank  separate  from  all  others. 
We  do  not  refer  to  those  erected  during  the  middle  ages,  but  to  those  which  sprang  up  in  a  thousand  rural  spots,  suggested 
by  returning  good  taste,  after  the  mania  for  Renaissance  had  somewhat  subsided.  A  cottage  of  this  class  comprised  the 
several  peculiarities  which  distinguished  the  different  stages  of  older  Gothic  work,  sometimes  occurring  in  strong  contrast, 
the  whole  being  fashioned  according  to  the  fanciful  wish  or  taste  of  the  builder.  These  now  form  marked  features  in  very 
many  of  the  most  beautiful  landscapes  of  England  which  are  unsurpassed  in  the  world  for  their  quiet  rural  effect.  There  is 
no  style,  perhaps,  which  better  accords  with  a  scene  of  meadows,  streams,  and  silent  woods,  variegating  a  gently 
undulating  surface.  There  are  few  such  buildings  in  our  land,  and  though  we  despise  a  servile  imitation,  yet  we  can  but 
heartily  wish  that  our  countrymen  would  exercise  some  taste  in  locating  as  well  as  building  their  houses,  and  not  place, 
as  is  often  the  case,  a  ghastly  Roman  palace  in  a  quiet  valley,  beside  a  running  stream. 

We  have  endeavored  to  present  a  design,  the  side  and  front  elevations  of  which  occur  on  Plates  XCVI.  and  XCVII. 
somewhat  in  the  character  of  those  mentioned  above.  Its  decorative  points  need  no  mention.  The  walls  are  of  stone  rubble 
work,  having  rude  quoins  on  all  the  corners.  The  roof  is  of  slate,  and  the  chimney  tops  of  terra  cotta  ware  which  can  be 
obtained  of  any  desirable  shape  or  size.    The  roof  of  the  bay  window  should  properly  be  of  flag-stone. 

The  Ground  Plans,  Plate  XCVIII.  exhibit  accommodations  for  a  family  of  four  or  five,  there  being  three  chambers  on 
the  upper  floor  of  ample  size.  The  first  floor  contains  the  parlor,  dining  room  and  kitchen,  with  the  pantry  and  scullery 
attached.    The  hall  is  lighted  by  the  windoAv  opposite  the  landing  in  the  second  story.    There  is  a  fire-place  in  each  apart- 

I 


100  AN   OLD   ENGLISH  COTTAGE. 

ment.  Throughout  the  base  of  the  building  there  is  a  cellar,  also  exhibited  on  this  plate,  having  stairs  beneath  the  main 
stairway. 

Plate  XCIX.  exhibits  the  Details  of  the  front  elevation.  Fig.  1,  is  the  cornice  and  bracket.  Fig.  2,  a  section  of  the 
same  showing  the  concealed  gutter.  Fig.  3,  base  of  the  window  over  the  front  porch.  Fig.  4,  front  elevation  of  the  porch. 
Fig.  5,  section  of  the  same.  Fig.  6,  window  of  the  front  gable.  Fig.  7,  section  of  the  same.  Fig.  8,  front  of  the  bay 
window.    Fig.  9,  section  of  the  bay  window. 

Plate  C.  consists  of  tho  Details  of  the  side  elevation.  Figs.  1  and  2,  are  chimney  cans.  Fig.  3,  cornice  and  gable 
ornaments,  (those  of  the  front  elevation  are  similar.)    Fig.  4,  gable  window. 


AN    ORNAMENTED  COTTAGE. 
DESIGN    TWENTY- FIFTH. 

On  Plate  CI.  is  represented  a  Gothic  front  applicable  to  this  design.  It  could  not  strictly  be  termed  in  this  case  a 
Gothic  building,  but  by  the  term  we  only  intend  that  the  principal  features  are  taken  from  the  Gothic  style.  The  walls 
are  of  brick  or  stone,  rough  cast  without  pointing.  The  roof  is  of  slate,  and  the  chimney  stacks  are  of  brick,  also  rough 
cast.  The  ornamented  front  below  Plate  CII.  adapted  to  the  same  ground  plan,  is  more  in  the  bracketted  style,  and  a  tin 
roof  is  substituted  for  the  slate.  In  this  case  the  angles  of  the  second  story  rooms  are  not  cut  off  by  the  roof,  the  cornice 
being  more  elevated  than  in  the  other  front. 

Plate  CIII.  presents  the  Ground  Plans  of  the  design.  On  the  second  floor  are  four  large  chambers  and  a  bed  room, 
furnishing  ample  room  for  a  family  of  five  or  six  persons  exclusive  of  the  servants.  On  the  first  floor  if  the  size  of  the 
family  required  it,  the  dining  room  might  be  used  as  a  back  parlor  or  sitting  room,  the  present  kitchen  as  a  dining-room, 
and  the  laundry,  being  removed  to  an  out  house,  might  be  used  as  a  kitchen.  The  hall  is  to  receive  additional  light  by  a 
window  in  the  roof  immediately  over  the  well  of  the  stairs.    Beneath  these  stairs  is  a  flight  descending  to  the  cellar. 

Plate  CIV.  exhibits  the  Details  of  the  Gothic  front.  Fig.  1,  chimney  stack.  Fig.  2,  base  of  the  same.  Fig.  3,  details 
of  the  porch.  Fig.  4,  front  door.  Fig.  5,  cornice  and  section  of  the  bay-window.  Fig.  6,  section  of  the  bay-window. 
Fig.  7,  cornice,  etc.  of  the  gables.    Fig.  8,  gable  window.    Fig.  9,  section  of  the  window. 

Plate  CV.  shows  the  details  of  the  ornamented  front.  Fig.  1,  chimney  stack.  Fig.  2,  3,  and  4,  details  of  the  porch. 
Fig.  5,  front  balcony,  cornice  and  finial.  Fig.  6,  section  of  the  same  through  a.  b.  showing  the  bracket.  Fig.  7,  front 
window.    Fig.  8,  base  and  finish  of  the  bay  window. 


XXV 


/'/  CI. 


Design  XXI'. 


pi  cm 


A    COUNTRY  RESIDENCE. 
DESIGN    TWENTY- SIXTH. 


There  is  no  part  of  the  world  more  beautifully  diversified  than  our  own  country.  It  possesses  every  conceivable 
variety  of  scenery  formed  of  mountains,  rocks,  hills  and  valleys,  of  undulating  land  and  plains,  of  rivers,  brooks  and 
groves  spread  in  endless  combinations,  beneath  the  cool  grey  skies  of  the  North,  and  the  warm  sunshine  of  the  South. 
The  artist  has  here  no  want  of  studies,  and  it  would  be  difficult  indeed  for  him  to  imagine  and  depict  a  landscape,  whose 
prototype  might  not  somewhere  be  found  in  this  vast  magazine  of  natural  beauties.  To  an  architect  also  this  affords 
especial  delight,  for  when  called  upon  to  exercise  his  art  in  adding  a  new  feature  to  the  scene,  he  has  only  to  look  upon  it 
with  an  eye  that  appreciates  its  excellencies  and  is  at  once  enabled,  as  if  by  inspiration,  to  design  that  which  will  become 
the  centre,  irradiating  life  over  the  landscape,  and  receiving  from  it  in  return  a  full  measure  of  nature's  softening  influence. 
True  art  and  nature  always  blend  in  harmony.  There  may  be  contrast,  but  not  discord.  To  produce  this  perfect 
mingling  requires  a  high  cast  of  intellect  and  sensitiveness  seldom  fomid,  and  hence  successful  attempts  are  so  rare.  This, 
however,  should  not  deter  others  from  making  the  effort,  for  if  the  highest  point  is  not  easily  attained,  we  may  approach  it  in 
a  greater  or  less  degree.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  many  natural  advantages  which  our  country  affords  are  not  more 
frequently  made  use  of.  We  often  see  buildings  designed  and  placed  in  utter  disregard  of  the  scenery,  and  sometimes  an 
endeavor  is  made  to  force  nature  into  a  sort  of  accordance  by  terraces,  embankments,  altering  the  direction  of  streams, 
and  other  artificial  arrangements.  These  things  are  repugnant  to  a  refined  taste,  and  it  is  far  less  offensive  to  see  an 
unsuccessful  effort  to  mingle  with  her  charms. 

There  are  other  points,  however,  of  greater  importance  perhaps  than  these.  The  comfort  and  convenience  of  a  household 
should  never  be  sacrificed  to  any  other  object.  We  love  to  see  enthusiasm  for  art,  but  when  it  sacrifices  these  points,  it  steps 
from  its  true  basis,  and  is  no  longer  praiseworthy.  Few  persons,  are  aware  how  much  those  essentials  to  a  good 
dwelling,  comfort  and  convenience,  depend  upon  its  locality,  and  how  much  may  be  added  to  them  by  laying  hold 
of  natural  advantages.  We  have  environed  our  last  design  in  this  volume  by  a  landscape  intended  to  illustrate  a  few  of 
these  points.  Plate  CVI.  presents  the  scene.  The  building  is  supposed  to  face  nearly  south,  in  which  position  its  three 
principal  sides  receive  the  sun  light,  the  front  being  enlivened  by  it  all  the  day.  It  is  protected  in  the  rear  from  the  cold 
winds  of  the  north-west  and  chilling  storms  of  the  north-east  by  a  range  of  hills.  These  are  also  supposed  to  furnish  the 
mansions  and  gardens  with  water,  which  may  be  easily  so  collected  from  the  springs  into  pipes  as  to  play  in  fountains 
and  be  carried  into  the  highest  apartment.  These  are  two  important  matters ;  to  have  a  fine  healthful  exposure,  and  an 
abundant  supply  of  good  pure  water.  In  this  perspective  view  are  displayed  the  various  accessories  which  may  be  found 
on  a  larger  scale  among  the  details.  The  summer  bouse  stands  in  the  midst  of  the  grove,  and  to  the  right  more  elevated 
is  the  observatory,  from  which  we  may  readily  conceive  a  fine  extensive  view. 

Plate  CVII.  shows  the  front  and  side  elevations  of  the  design.    Upon  these  are  displayed  the  principal  ornamental 

details  sufficiently  large,  in  a  scale  of  sixteen  feet  to  the  inch.    The  conservatory,  front  porch,  bay-windows  and  verandahs 

are  of  wood,  and  also  the  ornamental  cornice.    The  front  porch  is  designed  as  a  carriage  porch,  the  vehicle  passing  up  the 

26  101 


1 


102  A    COUNTRY  RESIDENCE. 

grade  beneath  it  and  finding  an  exit  from  the  other  gate.  The  small  attic  windows  may  be  seen  over  the  front 
windows.    The  circular  windows  in  the  gables  also  light  the  attic  rooms. 

Plate  CVIII.  exhibits  the  plans  of  the  first  and  second  stories.  There  is  a  cellar  beneath,  in  which  the  furnace  will  be 
placed  for  warming  the  building.  The  walls  of  the  cellar  are  of  stone,  and  those  of  the  superstructure  may  be  of  brick 
rough-cast  without  pointing.  The  roof  is  of  tin  or  galvanized  iron.  Next  the  vestibule,  on  the  first  floor,  is  a  large 
ante  room,  so  arranged  with  sliding  doors  that  on  occasion  it  may  be  thrown  with  the  drawing-room  and  dining-room  all 
into  one.  The  kitchen  and  other  offices  are  to  the  left.  The  second  floor  shows  a  range  of  chambers  and  bed-rooms 
sufficient  for  the  accommodation  of  a  large  family.  The  front  and  east  windows  all  reach  the  floor,  giving  access  to  the 
balconies  over  the  bay-windows  and  the  second  story  of  the  verandah.  There  is  an  attic  story  above  also  containing  bed- 
rooms. The  kitchen,  bath-room,  and  all  the  chambers  may  be  supplied  with  water  from  a  reservoir  on  the  hills  in  the 
rear,  or  if  the  location  has  not  such  advantages  it  may  be  received  from  a  reservoir  in  the  attic  supplied  by  a  force  pump. 

Plate  CIX.  shows  the  plan  and  front  elevation  of  a  garden  house,  the  position  of  which  may  be  found  on  the  plate  of 

« 

the  grounds.  This  building  is  approached  on  the  sides  by  a  covered  arbor,  the  construction  of  which  is  also  shown.  It 
may  be  used  for  a  variety  of  purposes,  either  as  a  gardener's  hall,  a  museum,  a  billiard  room  or  a  place  of  resort  for 
children.  It  will  be  found  not  only  a  highly  decorative  feature,  but  also  really  useful  in  such  an  extensive  dwelling  place. 
On  this  plate  there  is  also  a  design  for  a  vase  to  be  placed  wherever  taste  may  suggest,  and  the  details  of  the  porch  and 
cornice  of  the  garden  house  are  delineated  on  a  larger  scale. 

Plate  CX.  exhibits  a  view  of  the  observatory  such  as  would  occur  in  our  design,  which  will  be  evident  on  examining  the 
plate  of  the  grounds  already  referred  to.  It  is  of  wood,  and  perched  on  a  mass  of  rough  masonry,  built  against  a  rock. 
It  is  approached  from  the  rear,  starting  in  front  where  the  foot  of  the  hand  rail  appears,  and  going  around  up  a  flight  of 
steps  which  land  behind.  The  steps  in  front  of  the  picture  are  stone,  the  rails  are  wood  with  stone  posts,  which  furnish 
pedestals  for  marble  or  terra  cotta  garden  figures. 

Plate  CXI.  shows  the  summer  house.  This  also  is  approached  from  the  rear.  It  is  composed  of  wood  painted  white,  or  if 
possible  of  marble,  and  is  placed  upon  a  mass  of  smooth  masonry,  as  in  the  picture.  This  masonry  might  be  rubble  rough- 
cast, but  in  such  situations  the  plaster  is  likely  to  fall  off.  This  summer  house  is  in  the  Romanesque  style,  which  is  well 
adapted  to  such  situations,  being  without  the  ruggedness  of  the  Tudor  or  the  severe  chasteness  of  the  Grecian  style. 

Plate  CXII.  presents  two  designs  for  a  carriage  house  and  stable  combined,  the  one  on  the  left  is  that  exhibited  on  the 
plate  of  the  grounds,  but  the  other  if  desirable  may  be  substituted.  Either  it  is  believed  will  fully  answer  the  purpose,  but 
the  one  on  the  left  being  larger  is  more  complete.  The  carriage  is  driven  at  once  into  the  house,  the  horses  are  there  un- 
harnessed, and  taken  through  the  separating  door  into  their  stalls.    There  is  of  course  a  hay  loft  above. 

Plate  CXIII.  exhibits  a  vertical  projection  of  the  grounds.  There  is  an  ascent  from  the  rear  of  the  mansion  towards 
the  summer  house,  which  may  be  seen  in  the  perspective  view,  though  not  evident  here.  The  mansion  stands  front.  On 
the  right  is  a  flower  garden,  and  beyond  that  is  the  arbor  and  covered  way  leading  to  the  garden  house.  This  building 
faces  the  large  pool,  which  has  a  fountain  in  its  centre,  in  the  rear  of  the  dwelling.  By  winding  walks  we  reach  the 
summer  house  with  its  fountain.  To  the  right  of  this  is  seen  the  plan  of  the  observatory,  and  the  position  of  the  steps 
leading  to  it.  The  view  on  plate  CX.  is  taken  from  the  foot  of  the  steps  lying  between  the  observatory  and  the  garden 
house.    On  the  extreme  left  is  the  carriage  house,  shut  off  from  the  rest  of  the  grounds  by  trees. 


Design  AT  1 7 


PL  CVI1 


V  \\  O  N  T     V.  \.  !•:  VA  T  I  O  N 


S  1  I)  E   E  L  E  VA  T  10  N  . 

Scale  16  feel  Lo  the  inch 


S  un '  Sloan  ArcV 


P  s  Duvd  a  cos  Stan  Mi  fnu  n  ■■■ 


4 


A  RETROSPECT. 


|  E  are  now  about  to  close  the  first  volume  of  this  work,  and  it  may  not  be  improper  to  glance 
at  what  has  been  done  before  proceeding  further.    The  undertaking  was  commenced  with 

» 

many  misgivings,  not  only  as  to  our  own  ability  in  accomplishing  it,  but  also  whether  the 
subject  was  sufficiently  popular  to  make  it  successful.  In  respect  to  the  latter  point,  the  question 
is  answered.  The  success  of  the  work  exceeded  our  highest  hopes,  the  demand  has  been  con- 
stantly increasing,  and  it  is  now  only  a  matter  of  wonder  that  the  interest  of  the  community  in  the 
subject  could  ever  have  been  doubted.  There  are  few  persons,  even  those  nursed  in  the  lap  of  luxury, 
who  have  not  at  some  time  experienced  discomforts  arising  either  from  insufficient  accommodations  or 
inconvenient  arrangements  in  dwellings.  There  are  many  things  that  money  will  not  buy.  It  cannot 
secure  comfort  in  our  homes  if  they  be  badly  arranged,  badly  lighted,  badly  heated,  or  badly  ventilated. 
These  points  must  be  secured  in  the  first  place,  and  even  with  them  there  is  a  great  diversity  of 
views  respecting  comfort.  No  one  has  greater  cognizance  of  this  fact  than  an  architect.  A  dwelling 
in  which  one  person  would  live  with  the  utmost  pleasure  would  render  another  uncomfortable  and  un- 
happy, simply  because  his  education  and  habits  are  different.  There  are  but  few  old  homesteads  in  this 
country,  whic]|  descendants  take  a  delight  and  pride  in  holding.  Our  customs  are  continually  changing, 
and  our  means  improving,  and  hence  what  was  once  considered  an  elegant  mansion  is  now  a  second  or  third 
rate  dwelling.  The  style  of  building  generally  practised  here,  is  by  no  means  the  most  substantial,  and  at 
the  same  time  our  population  is  rapidly  increasing.  For  these  reasons  every  citizen  is  interested  in  the  art 
of  building,  and  each  expects*  r  hopes  at  some  day  to  erect  a  dwelling  for  himself  suited  to  his  peculiar 
notions  of  living.  He  examines  architectural  works  with  interest,  expecting  to  glean  information  from  the 
professional  man  more  extended  and  practical,  than  his  own  observation  affords.  We  have  endeavored 
to  direct  our  work  to  meet  this  desire,  and  intend  finally  to  leave  nothing  unsaid  or  undone,  so  far  as  we 
know,  which  may  furnish  the  wished  for  information. 

In  the  twenty-six  preceding  designs,  we  have  confined  the  variations  by  those  generally  conceded  ideas 
of  comfort,  which  place  the  parlor  in  front,  the  domestic  offices  in  the  rear,  and  the  sleeping  apartments  on 
the  second  floor.  These  seem  to  us  by  far  the  most  natural  arrangements,  but  they  are  very  different  in 
many  other  enlightened  countries.  Within  these  limits,  we  have  given  many  various  arrangements  for 
apartments,  some  of  which  will  certainly  be  adapted  to  almost  any  peculiar  notions.    But  this  point  is  by 

))  no  means  yet  exhausted,  and  many  other  combinations  will  be  contained  in  the  next  volume  totally  distinct 
rP  103 


104  A  RETROSPECT. 

from  those  in  this.  We  have  given  to  the  facades  of  these  designs  a  considerable  variety  of  style  adapted 
to  different  tastes  and  locations.  The  greater  number  of  these  have  been  Italian  and  Gothic,  interspersed 
with  occasional  Romanesque  and  fanciful  designs,  which  last  lay  no  claim  to  any  particular  style.  Indeed, 
it  is  impossible  to  express  in  a  small  building  the  principles  which  strictly  constitute  a  style.  We  can  only 
make  its  few  details  consistent  with  each  other.  The  designs  are  always  accompanied  by  such  data  as  will 
enable  the  builder  to  construct  them  without  difficulty.  In  respect  to  the  engraving,  no  one  will  hesitate 
to  pronounce  a  decided  improvement. 

The  letter  press  has  received  a  full  share  of  attention.  There  are  short  accounts  of  several  of  the  dif- 
ferent styles,  giving  a  description  of  their  rise  and  progress,  and  the  principles  on  which  they  are  based. 
The  facts  therein  stated  are  collected  from  various  sources,  and  though  perhaps  not  expressed  in  the  most 
fluent,  graceful  manner,  are  nevertheless  reliable.  Besides  these,  we  have  begun  a  series  of  articles,  which 
are  intended  to  comprise  a  succinct  description  of  the  building  art  accompanied  by  numerous  collateral  facts 
and  reflections.  We  have  entered  but  a  little  way  into  these  subjects,  their  great  extent  not  being  com- 
pressible within  our  limits,  but  at  the  same  time,  we  hope  that  much  has  been  said  which  will  be  found 
useful  and  new. 

The  middle  point  is  reached,  and  but  half  the  labor  is  done.  As  yet  there  is  no  feeling  of  relaxation, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  a  strong  desire  and  determination  not  only  to  keep  up  the  spirit  of  the  work  and 
render  it  complete,  but  to  improve  it  in  every  practicable  way.  We  now  close  the  present  volume,  but  at 
once  open  the  next  with  the  wish  and  hope  of  rendering  it  more  valuable  to  its  readers,  and  more  credita- 
ble to  all  concerned  in  its  production. 

I 


fx  n  i  0. 


LITTLEFIELD  &  SHANNON, 


No.  54  North  Sixth  Street, 


MANUFACTURING  LOCK  SMITHS, 

SILVER  PLATERS  AND  BELL  HANGERS. 


Bank  Locks, 
Sare  Pad  Locks, 
Prison  Locks, 
Store  Locks, 
Night  Locks, 


Door  Furniture, 
Plated  Knobs, 
Porcelain  Knobs, 
Ornamental  Porcelain  Knobs, 
Plated  llinges. 


I,  &  S  are  prepared  to  furnish  at  short  notice  all  articles  in  their  line,  in  large  or  small  quantities.  Bell  Hang- 
ine  done  in  the  most  approved  manner  for  Dwellings,  Hotels,  Steam  Boats,  etc.  Speaking  Tubes  put  up  m  a 
most  complete  and  beautiful  style  and  any  required  length.  All  our  work  we  warrant  to  be  executed  In  the 
most  workmanlike  manner.  We  shall  be  happy  to  receive  orders  from  any  part  of  the  country,  which  will 
receive  every  attention. 


WILLIAMS,  GRIFFITH  &  WILLIAMS, 

I\o.  296  Worth  Tenth  Street, 

PLAIN  AND  ORNAMENTAL  SLATING. 


Importers  of  Welsh  Slates, 
American  do. 
Plain  Slate  Roofing, 


Pointed  Gothic  Roofing, 
Octagon   do.  do. 
Ornamental  Deiigns,  do. 


Parties  requiring  Slate  Roofs  can  have  them  executed  In  Plain  or  Ornamental  Styles  at  a  very  low  price,  and 
all  work  warranted. 


MOORE   &  SOUDEES, 
(EAGLE  FACTORY,) 

BROAD  ST.  ABOVE  COATES. 

Manufacturers  of  Doors,  Shutters,  Blinds,  Fancy  and  Diamond  Sash,  Window 
Frames)  Sash  Doors,  and  all  kinds  of  Fancy  and  Ornamental 
Work  for  Building  Purposes. 

fl®-  Contractors  and  Builders  supplied  with  any  quantity  at  the  shortest  notice,  and  on  the  most  reasonable 
terms. 


W.  H.  F  R  E  N  C  H'S 

MANUFACTORY  FOR  ARCHITECTURAL 

PLASTER  ORNAMENTS, 

SCHUYLKILL.  SIXTH  AND  LOCUST  STREETS, 

PHILADELPHIA. 

***  Every  description  of  Architectural  Plaster  Ornament  for  the  Internal  and  External  Decoration  of  Build- 
ings, consisting  of  Centre  Pieces  for  Ceilings;  Mouldiuus,  Frieie,  and  Soffit  enrichments  to  Cornices,— Capitals, 
Trusses,  &c,  &c,  constantly  on  hand. 

New  Designs  in  any  of  the  various  Architectural  styles,  Modelled  with  care  and  accuracy  to  Drawings. 


E.  "VV II ELAN, 

PLUMBER  AND  (MS  FITTER, 

Corner  of  Seventh  and  Sanson*  Sts.,  Philadelphia. 


MANUFACTURER  OF 


Circulating  Boilers, 
Wash  Basins, 
Bathing  Tubs, 
Hydrant  Sinks, 
Water  Closets, 
Cistern  Pumps, 


Hydraulic  Rams, 

Single  and  Double  action  Forcing  Pumps, 
Shower  Baths, 
Branch  Pipes, 
Water  Backs, 
Ac,  &c.,  &c. 


Chandeliers,  Pendants,  Brackets,  4c,  on  hand,  or  made  to  order.  Oas  Pipes  introduced  into  Churches,  private 
and  public  buildings.   All  orders  from  city  or  country  promptly  executed  in  the  most  satisfactory  manner. 


COTTAGE  FURNITURE. 

WARWICK,  THOMAN  &  CO., 

Nos.  4  and  6  South  Seventh  St., 

Respectfully  invite  the  attention  of  those  about  fur- 
nishing Cottages,  Country  Seats,  Villas,  Ac,  to  their 
new,  chaste,  and  appropriate  designs  of  Furniture,  for 
the  same.  Suits  of  Chamber  Furniture,  consisting  of 
Bedstead,  Dress  Bureau,  Washstand,  and  Toilet  Table, 
and  four  Cane  Seat  Chairs,  as  low  as  $30  per  suit,  rang- 
ing upward  to  $150.  We  furnish  those  who  wish  dif- 
ferent styles  from  what  wo  usually  make,  drawings 
suitable  to  the  taste  of  the  purchaser,  without  addi- 
tional cost.  Our  designer  being  one  of  the  first  artists 
in  the  country,  can  be  relied  upon  for  accuracy  in  such 
_  matters.     By  employing  noue  but  the  mo:<t  skilful 

workmen,  with  the  aid  of  labor-saving  machinery,  and  using  the  best  of  materials,  the  public  may  rely  upon 
getting  superior  goods  at  the  lowest  rates. 

«S-Ordcrs  from  all  parts  of  the  country  promptly  attended  to,  and  carefully  packed. 
N.  B.  All  kinds  of  Reception  Chain,  and  other  Furniture,  inlaid  with  pearl,  if  desired. 


ORNAMENTAL  CHIMNEY  TOPS 

FOUNTAINS,  VISES,  FLOWER  POTS,  STATUARY,  &c. 

FOR  EXTERIOR  DECORATION. 

These  articles  arc  imported  from  the  Garnkirk  Works,  Scotland,  and  are  the  only  substitute  for  Stone  or  Mar- 
ble that  will  stand  exposure  in  the  northern  climate  of  the  United  States. 

The  low  price  at  which  they  arc-  furnished,  cannot  fail  to  bring  them  into  general  use.  The  Country  Cottage, 
or  Bnbarbn  Villa  require*  something  more  than  a  clumsy  brick  chimney  ;  these  Ornamental  Tops  give  a  light- 
ncss  and  elegance  which  cannot  otherwise  be  obtained.    They  are  for  sale  by 

J.  E.  MITCHELL, 

14  Old  York  Road,  and 

S.  A.  HARRISON, 

146  Walnut  Street,  Philadelphia. 


JAMES  H.  SPRAGUE'S 

Wholesale  and  Retail 

Window  Glass  Warehouse,  and  Drug,  Paint,  Varnish,  Oil  and  Color  Stores, 

NOS.  33  AND  35  N.  FOURTH  STREET—EAST  SIDE. 

Has  the  largest  assortment  of  Window,  Picture,  Coach,  Qm,  Hut-Bouse,  and  other  Glass,  in  the  city,  compri- 
sing upwards  of  J'),000  different  sines,  ranging  from  the  smallest  size  up  to  3S  to  60  inches  or  Sheet,  and  as  large 
as  5  by  7  feet  of  Plate  Glass,  including  English  Crown,  French,  German  and  American,  both  tingle  and  double 
thick  ;  Enameled  Glass,  of  various  patterns  and  siies.  „.„..,  _  . 

English  and  Herman  Colored  Glass,  of  every  hue  and  shade,  both  Flash  and  Pot  Mettle— F  ancypatterns— CoaU 
of  Arms,  or  devices  of  any  kind,  can  be  executed  at  the  shortest  notice,  as  1  have  an  Italian  Artist  constantly 
employed  for  that  purpose,  specimens  of  whose  work  may  be  seen  at  any  time  by  calling  at  my  store. 

FRENCH  ZINC,  ground  in  bleached  Linseed  Oil,  and  used  with  Mangauesed  Oil  for  dying,  is  an  article  I 
would  recommend  to  builders  and  contractors,  as  admirably  suited  for  a  finishing  coat,  as  it  retains  its  color 
unimpaired  by  time  and  exposure.  .... 

The  OHIO  METALLIC  FIRE  and  WATER  PROOF  PAINT,  carefully  prepared  with  directions  for  using,  con- 
stantly on  hand.  Also,  Ground  White  Lead,  Paint,  Varnish  of  every  description,  Turpentine,  Linseed  Oil  boiled 
and  raw,  Paint  Mills,  Putty,  Brushes,  and  every  other  article  that  eau  be  wanted  by  Builders  and  Painters. 

J.  H.  SPEAGUE,  Nos.  33  and  35  N.  Fourth  St.,  East  Side. 


J.  &  M.  BAIRD'S 


STEAM  MARBLE  WORKS, 

RIDGE  ROAD,  ABOVE  SPRING  GARDEN  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA. 

This  establishment  iserectnd  on  an  improved  plan,  and  by  the  aid  of  extensive  Stcaui  Power,  manufactures 
all  kinds  of  Marble  Work  in  a  superior  style,  and  at  the  lowest  prices  for  ouh. 

The  largest  and  best  assortment  of  Marble  Mantles  ever  offered  to  the  public  may  be  seen  at  the  Ware-room, 
to  which  the  attention  of  purchasers  Ls  respectfully  invited. 

IMPORTED  GARDEN  STATUARY  AND  VASES, 

Of  the  most  tasteful  designs  and  patterns,  made  of  the  finest  and  handsomest  descriptions  of  Italian  Marble  ; 
Tiles  for  Flooring,  imported  and  always  on  hand,  and  for  sale  at  the  most  reasonable  ju  ices. 
■Ki-Marble  Cutters  can  be  supplied  at  all  times  with  any  number  of 

FINISHED  MANTLES  OR  TABLE  TOPS, 

At  reduced  wholesale  prices,  and  the  trade  will  be  furnished  at  the  shortest  notice,  with  all  kinds  of  Marble  in 
the  block,  or  cut  to  sizes  for  Monuments,  or  any  other  purposed. 

JOHN  BAIRD.  MATTHEW  15.YI11D. 


WILLIAM  P.  BOLTON, 

CORNER  OF  EIGHTH  AND  ARCH  STREETS, 


PHILADELPHIA. 


Frieze  Ornaments, 

Carved  Mouldings, 

Capitals  for  Columns  and  Anties, 

Architectural  Ornaments, 


Exterior  mid  Interior  Carvings, 

CoiiKoIex,  Kosett 

Carvings  for  Public  Rulldlngx, 

Do.       for  Gothic  Architecture, 


W.  P.  B.  will  be  happy  to  receive  orders  from  the  City  or  Country,  and  they  will  be  executed  with  ability, 
punctuality  and  economy,  as  nothing  U  allowed  to  leave  his  establishment  unless  finished  in  the  most  la- 
tisfactory  manner. 


RAFAEL    MONTES    DE   OCA  &, 

ARTISTS  IX  STAINED  GLASS. 


CO., 


Architect",  Builders  and  Gentlemen  who  propose  to  introduce  Stained  Glass  into  their  dwellings,  are  respect 
folly  invited  to  visit  this  Establishment. 


Original  Designs  for  Churches. 
Gothic  and  Italian  Villa  Windows, 
Transom,  Window  and  Side  Lights, 
Landscape  Designs, 
Fruits  and  Flowers,  do. 


Lamps  for  Refectories, 

Hotel  and  Entry  Lamps  of  the  most 

beautiful  designs, 
Original  Designs  made  to  order,  and 

executed  to  give  satisfaction. 


We  shall  be  pleased  to  give  any  information  connected  with  our  branch,  and  invite  all  interested  in  this  beau- 
tiful etyle  of  decoration  to  inspect  our  specimens.  We  are  prepared  to  execute  orders  for  Stained  Glass  of  every 
description  in  small  or  large  quantities. 

NO.  60  SOUTH  ELEVENTH  STREET  BELOW  CHESNDT  STREET. 


E,  NICHOLS, 

HOUSE  PAINTER, 

No.  315  MARKET  STREET, 

PHILADELPHIA. 


House  Fainting  and  Staining, 
Ornamental  Graining  in  Oak,  Maple,  Maho- 
gany, Walnut  and  Rosewood, 
China  Glass,  Cilding, 
Bronzing,  in  various  styles, 


Plain  and  Ornamental, 

Sign  Painting,  in  Gold  and  Variegated, 

Patent  Zink  Paints, 

Fire  Proof  Paints, 

Glazing. 


E.  N.  will  take  pleasure  in  giving  any  information  connected  with  his  branch  of 
bueiness,  and  superintends  all  work  personally. 


Cliilson's  Patent  Air- Warming  and  Ventilating  Furnaces. 

(Final  improvements  Fatcnted  Nmcmher  19, 1850.) 

For  thoroughly  Warming  ami  Ventilating  Dwellings,  Churches,  School  nouses,  Court 
Houses,  Hospitals,  Stores,  &c. 

A  complete  and  perfect  system  of  ventilating  as  well  as 
warming  buildings,  with  an  abundant  supply  of  fresh,  health- 
ful warm  air,  (uninjured  in  the  process  of  warming  by  over- 
heated iron,)  creating  a  salubrious  atmosphere  in  Ihe  apart- 
ments, vf  armed  not  unlike  that  of  a  mild  summer's  day.  This 
invention  is  unlike  any  thing  of  the  common  hot-air  furnace 
or  heater  kind,  and  is  the  result  of  many  years  thorough 
practical  experience  in  the  invention  anil  manufacture  of 
various  kinds  of  healers,  and  int'ully  developing  and  perfect- 
ing this  principle.  Kvery  part  of  this  furnace  and  plan  of 
setting  it  have  been  thoroughly  subjected  to  the  most  severe 
practical  tests  to  insure  its  perfect  operation  in  every  respect, 
in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  nature  that  govern  the  ele- 
ments of  air  anil  heat.  Particular  care  has  been  paid  to 
attain  the  following  points,  viz.  To  Secure  all  the  heat  gene- 
rated from  the  fuel,  and  avoid  all  over-heated  pots  or  plates. 
To  prevent  the  escape  and  loss  of  heat  in  cellars.  To  con- 
nect the  joints  of  the  furnace  so  as  to  allow  expansion,  and 
yet  proof  against  the  escape  of  smoke  or  gas.   To  insuro 

great  durability,  unlike  the  common  furnaces  it  requires  no 

repairs,  with  ordinary  care  during  a  life  time;  it  is  perfectly 
safo  against  firing  buildings.  It  is  not  complicated  in  its 
arrangement]  not  liable  to  get  out  of  order  and  easily  mana- 
ged. We  are  permit  ted  to  refer  to  over  five  hundred  gentle- 
men having  these  furnaces  in  use,  some  in  Public  and  others 
in  Private  buildings,  many  of  whom  are  professional  gentle- 
men, whose  scientific  attainments  in  such  matters  are  well 
known.  These  furnaces  have  been  exhibited  four  times  at 
the  recent  fairs,  and  have  received  as  first  premiums  one 
Ooi.n  and  throe  sivf.r  mkdals.  Wo  have  also  five  sizes  of 
Sizes  adapted  to  all  classes  of  buildings.  a  superior  Portable  Furnace,  combining  the  principles  of  the 

Thl*  Furnace  mnr  1>c  sem  at.  11G  KS?  H^^iK^Si'  V^SS^  jawrtoent  of  REGISTERS, 
W«l«ut  Street,  Philadelphia.      «•  !,  V  f  'i  T^3?1^8'  nf 

'  \\  arming  and  Ventilating  Apparatus,  adapted  to  all  classes 

of  buildings;  also,  a  full  assortment  of  those  beautiful  and  substantial  Metallic,  or  Mirror  Marble  Chimney  Man- 
tles, Parlor  and  Chamber  FrannTri  rates,  Cooking  Ranges,  &c 

«g»For  Sale,  Wholesale  and  Kctail,  at  the  Stove  Range  and  Furnace  Kstahlishment,  Nos.  Til  and  53  Blackstono 
street,  Boston,  Mass.  CHILSON,  H1CHARD.SOX  &.  CO. 

Special  attention  given  to  Warming  and  Ventilating  Public  or  Private  buildings  in  any  part  of  the  country. 


BUILDING  HARDWARE, 

WILLIAM  M.  fM'CLURE  &  BROTHER, 

NO.  287  MARKET  STREET,  BELOW  EIGHTH, 

PHILADELPHIA. 

Shutter,  Gate  and  Door  Bolts, 
Bra^s,  Wrought,  and  Cast  Iron  Bolts, 
Screws,  Sprigs,  Glue  and  Sand  Paper, 
American  Axle  Pulleys, 
Sham  Axle  do.     every  variety, 

American  Buttons,  plain  or  plated, 
Do.  Nobs,  Plated,  White,  Iron  or  Wood, 
Sash  Cord,  Common  or  Patent, 
Kails  and  Sash  Weights,  at  Factory  Prices. 


American  Front  Door  Locks, 
Do.       Rim  Locks,  all  sizes, 
Do.      Mortice,  Plated  Furniture, 
Do.      Closet  Locks,  do, 

Drop  Stop  and  Thumb  Latches, 

Imported  Locks  and  Latches, 

Baldwin's  Butt  Hinges, 

American  do.     fast  or  loose  joints, 

Shutter,  Gate,  Strap  T.  Hinges, 

Carpenters'  Tools,  at  low  prices, 

At  this  Establishment  may  be  found  the 
city,  and  at  Low  Prices. 


largest  assortment  of  the  above  goods  in  the 


JASON  LEWIS, 

SLATER, 

No.  379  Marshall  Street,  above  Poplar,  Philad'a. 

Roofing  with  Slates  in  the  best  manner,  at  the  Shortest  Notice. 

J.  L.  has  constantly  on  hand  a  large  assortment  of  ROOFING  SLATES,  of  the  best  quality. 


Anthony  Davis.  Esq.,  late  People's  Works. 
Messrs.  John  Briggs  &  Co.,  Fninkford. 
A.  Town,  Esq.,  President  of  Washington  Bleach  Com- 
pany. Gloucester,  N.  J. 
D.  S.  Brown,  Esq.,  No.  40  South  Front  street. 


REFERENCES. 

John  D.  Jones,  Esq.,  Bnilder,  Walnut  and  Schuylkill 

Eighth  street. 
W.  H.  Gatzmcr,  Esq.,  Camden  and  Amboy  Railroad 
Company. 


o.  3'. 


Roofinfc 

i  constantly  . 


)avis.  Esq.,  late 
hn  Brings  &  Co 
Esq.,  President 
oueestcr,  N.  J. 
a,  Esq.,  No.  40  S 


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I 


GETTY  RESEARCH  INSTITUTE 


